Seafood Names List in English with Pictures

Seafood includes many edible animals from oceans and rivers such as fish, shellfish, squid, and crabs. Valued in global cuisines, it provides protein and unique flavors across cultures. A seafood names list in English with pictures links each term with its image, helping learners quickly recognize and remember common and special species. Learning these names supports communication in restaurants, food markets, and cooking classes.

What Is Seafood?

Seafood is the name for animals that live in water and are used as food. This includes fish like salmon and tuna, shellfish like prawns and crabs, and other sea animals such as squid and octopus. Some seafood comes from the ocean (saltwater), while others live in rivers or lakes (freshwater). People eat seafood all over the world because it is tasty and full of nutrients.

List of Common Seafood Names in English

Here’s a list of common seafood names in English that are widely recognized and used in daily life, restaurants, and markets:

  • Salmon – A pink-fleshed fish rich in omega-3, often eaten grilled, smoked, or in sushi.
  • Tuna – A large, meaty fish commonly used in steaks, canned tuna, and sushi.
  • Cod – A mild white fish popular for fish and chips and baking dishes.
  • Mackerel – An oily fish with strong flavor, rich in healthy fats, often grilled or smoked.
  • Sardine – Small oily fish usually eaten canned, grilled, or preserved in oil.
  • Trout – A freshwater fish similar to salmon, often pan-fried or baked.
  • Snapper – A firm, white fish enjoyed grilled, baked, or in seafood curries.
  • Halibut – A lean white fish with mild flavor, often cooked as steaks or fillets.
  • Fish – A general term for aquatic animals eaten as seafood, including fresh and saltwater types.
  • Anchovy – Small, salty fish usually preserved, used in pizzas, sauces, and salads.
  • Shrimp – A small shellfish with sweet flavor, commonly grilled, fried, or added to pasta and curries.
  • Prawn – A large shellfish similar to shrimp, often used in curries, grills, and fried dishes.
  • Crab – A crustacean with sweet, delicate meat, commonly boiled, steamed, or used in crab cakes.
  • Lobster – A luxury seafood with tender meat, usually boiled, grilled, or served with butter.
  • Clam – A shellfish found in sand or mud, often eaten steamed, in soups, or pasta dishes.
  • Mussel – A bivalve mollusk with dark shells, usually steamed and served with sauces.
  • Oyster – A shellfish eaten raw, grilled, or baked, famous for its unique salty flavor.
  • Catfish – A freshwater fish with a mild taste, commonly fried or grilled.
  • Squid – A seafood with tender rings, often fried as calamari or cooked in stews.
  • Octopus – A soft-bodied seafood with chewy texture, eaten grilled, boiled, or in salads.

Fish Names in English Used in Seafood

Fish are the most common type of seafood. These names are useful in everyday conversations:

  • Salmon – pink fish rich in healthy fats
  • Tuna – found in cans or cooked as steaks
  • Cod – white fish often used in fish and chips
  • Sardines – small oily fish often packed in tins
  • Mackerel – striped fish rich in omega-3
  • Snapper – colorful reef fish
  • Catfish – has whisker-like feelers
  • Trout – freshwater fish, also farm-raised
  • Anchovy – tiny fish used in pizza and sauces
  • Halibut – large flat fish with firm meat

Shellfish Names in English with Labels

Shellfish are seafood with hard outer shells. They are divided into two types: crustaceans and mollusks.

Crustaceans:

  • Crab – walks sideways and has a hard shell
  • Lobster – known for its big claws
  • Prawn – looks like shrimp but usually bigger
  • Shrimp – found in many dishes like pasta or tempura
  • Crayfish – freshwater crustacean like a mini lobster

Mollusks:

  • Clam – oval shell, soft inside
  • Oyster – rough shell, eaten raw or cooked
  • Mussel – smooth dark shell
  • Scallop – fan-shaped shell with soft inside
  • Squid – long body, used in calamari
  • Octopus – eight arms, used in many Asian dishes
Types of Seafood Items in English
Types of Seafood Items in English

List of Edible Sea Animals and Seafood Dishes

This section shows sea creatures we eat and some common seafood-based meals:

  • Crab curry
  • Grilled shrimp skewers
  • Fried calamari (made from squid)
  • Baked salmon
  • Tuna sandwich
  • Seafood pasta (with mussels, shrimp, or fish)
  • Fish tacos
  • Steamed clams
  • Sushi (with raw fish like tuna or salmon)
  • Lobster roll

Saltwater vs Freshwater Seafood Vocabulary

Seafood can come from two places: salty oceans or freshwater rivers and lakes.

Saltwater seafood:

  • Tuna
  • Salmon
  • Lobster
  • Shrimp
  • Crab
  • Mackerel
  • Sardines
  • Squid
  • Oysters

Freshwater seafood:

  • Catfish
  • Trout
  • Crayfish
  • Tilapia
  • Carp
  • Perch

Seafood Names for Kids and Beginners with Spellings

Here’s a basic list of seafood items useful for children and ESL beginners:

  • Fish – F-I-S-H
  • Crab – C-R-A-B
  • Shrimp – S-H-R-I-M-P
  • Lobster – L-O-B-S-T-E-R
  • Prawn – P-R-A-W-N
  • Clam – C-L-A-M
  • Octopus – O-C-T-O-P-U-S
  • Squid – S-Q-U-I-D
  • Oyster – O-Y-S-T-E-R
  • Mussel – M-U-S-S-E-L

Exotic and Rare Seafood Items in English

Here are some unusual or rare seafood names that are useful for advanced learners:

  • Abalone – shellfish with shiny inside shell
  • Sea urchin – round, spiky sea animal eaten raw
  • Cuttlefish – similar to squid
  • Eel – long, snake-like fish
  • Razor clam – shellfish with a long, thin shell
  • Conch – sea snail with a spiral shell
  • Whelk – edible sea snail
  • Monkfish – deep-sea fish with firm meat
  • Flying fish – tropical fish that can leap above water
  • Stone crab – crab with strong claws, found in Florida

FAQs About Seafood Names in English

What are the most common seafood names in English?

Fish like salmon, tuna, cod, and shellfish like shrimp, lobster, and crab are among the most common.

What is the difference between prawn and shrimp?

Though similar, prawns are generally larger and found in freshwater, while shrimp come from saltwater.

How many seafood names are used in daily English?

Over 50 seafood terms are commonly used in recipes, restaurants, and ESL vocabulary.

Are mollusks and crustaceans both shellfish?

Yes, crustaceans like crabs and lobsters and mollusks like clams and oysters are both shellfish types.

Why should learners study seafood names in English?

It supports menu reading, food shopping, and kitchen tasks, especially for ESL students or food workers.

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About the author

Muhammad Asim

Asim is a blogger, freelance ESL and IELTS trainer and a software engineer graduated from the top ranked varsity of Pakistan. Asim is keenly interested to write blogs and loves to create content for audience. He has been conducting online sessions for training individuals and groups for IELTS and ESL. He is active on social media with a fan following of almost 2.5M people around the globe.