Crustaceans are a large group of animals that mostly live in water and have jointed legs, hard outer shells, and segmented bodies. They belong to the arthropod group and include many familiar creatures found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
Learning the types of crustaceans in English makes it easier to recognize these animals and understand the names used in science, fishing, cooking, and marine biology. This article introduces common crustacean names with pictures and simple identification details.
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Common Crustacean Types with Pictures
Crustaceans include many aquatic and semi-aquatic animals with hard outer shells, jointed legs, and segmented bodies. The following types are among the most familiar groups found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and coastal habitats.
Crab
Crabs have broad bodies, strong claws, and a short abdomen tucked beneath the shell. Most move sideways and live on the sea floor or along coasts.
Lobster
Lobsters have long bodies, large claws, and strong walking legs. They usually live on rocky sea floors and hide in crevices.
Shrimp
Shrimp are small crustaceans with slender bodies, long antennae, and swimming legs. They are common in both saltwater and freshwater.
Prawn
Prawns resemble shrimp but usually have a slightly different body structure and gill arrangement. They are found in marine and freshwater habitats.
Crayfish
Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans that look like small lobsters. They live in rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes.
Krill
Krill are small shrimp-like crustaceans that live in large groups in the ocean. They are an important food source for many marine animals.
Barnacle
Barnacles attach themselves to rocks, ships, piers, and other hard surfaces. Adults remain fixed in place and feed by filtering food from the water.
Hermit Crab
Hermit crabs have soft abdomens and protect themselves by living inside empty shells. As they grow, they move into larger shells.
King Crab
King crabs are large marine crustaceans with long legs and a heavily armored body. They are commonly found in cold ocean waters.
Snow Crab
Snow crabs have long, thin legs and a rounded shell. They usually live in cold northern seas.
Blue Crab
Blue crabs are named for the bluish color on their claws and legs. They are commonly found in coastal waters and estuaries.
Fiddler Crab
Male fiddler crabs are easy to recognize because one claw is much larger than the other. They often live in mudflats and mangrove areas.
Ghost Crab
Ghost crabs are pale-colored coastal crabs that move quickly across sandy beaches. They usually hide in burrows during the day.
Spiny Lobster
Spiny lobsters have long antennae and a hard, spiny shell but lack the large front claws seen in true lobsters.
Slipper Lobster
Slipper lobsters have flattened bodies and broad antennae that look like plates. They live on sandy or rocky sea floors.
Mantis Shrimp
Mantis shrimp are colorful crustaceans with powerful front limbs used for striking or spearing prey. They live in warm marine waters.
Amphipod
Amphipods are small crustaceans with laterally compressed bodies. Many live among seaweed, sand, freshwater plants, or ocean sediments.
Copepod
Copepods are tiny crustaceans found in oceans and freshwater. They form an important part of plankton and aquatic food chains.
Isopod
Isopods have flattened, segmented bodies and include both aquatic species and land-dwelling forms such as woodlice.
Water Flea
Water fleas are tiny freshwater crustaceans with rounded bodies and large antennae. They swim in ponds and lakes and are an important food source for fish.
Lesser-Known Crustacean Species
Some crustaceans are not common in everyday talks but are interesting and important in water systems. Learning these names helps identify strange-looking water creatures better.
Isopod
Flat body with many legs and a hard back. Some live in oceans and others in moist soil.
Amphipod
Looks like a tiny shrimp and moves fast. Lives in wet sand, lakes, or under rocks.
Mantis Shrimp
Colorful and fast-hitting. Famous for its strong punch and sharp eyes.
Copepod
Small, clear body. Found in freshwater and saltwater and forms part of the food chain.
Ostracod
Also called seed shrimp. Has a round body that looks like a small grain of rice.
Fairy Shrimp
Lives in small, seasonal ponds. Has a soft body and swims upside-down.
Tadpole Shrimp
Long tail and flat body. Found in muddy ponds or pools after rains.
Edible Crustaceans and Seafood Varieties
Crustaceans are part of many cuisines around the world. Some are caught wild, others are farmed. These names help in cooking, shopping, and restaurant orders.
Blue Crab
Popular in coastal dishes. It has a blue shell and soft meat.
King Crab
Large with long legs. Mostly caught in cold seas and served steamed or grilled.
Snow Crab
Milder taste with white meat. Used in sushi and seafood platters.
Rock Lobster
Also called spiny lobster. It has no claws and is common in tropical dishes.
Tiger Prawn
Large striped body. Often grilled, fried, or used in curries.
White Shrimp
Common in many dishes. Mild flavor and soft texture.
Langoustine
Also called Norway lobster. Smaller than a lobster but very tasty.
Microscopic and Planktonic Crustacean Animals
These crustaceans are so small they can only be seen under a microscope. They play a big role in water life and feed many ocean creatures.
Water Flea
Very small and jumps in water. Lives in ponds and is eaten by fish.
Brine Shrimp
Also known as sea monkeys. Grows in salty lakes and used as pet food.
Cyclops
Tiny and has one eye. Moves in jerks and lives in fresh water.
Calanoid Copepod
Long antennas and clear body. Lives in both seas and fresh waters.
Marine Cladocera
Tiny with round body. Floats in seas and lakes.
Land-Based and Semi-Aquatic Crustacean Species
Not all types of crustaceans stay in water. Some live on land or near water bodies. These types help understand creatures seen during walks or in gardens.
Woodlouse
Also called pill bug or roly-poly. Curves into a ball when touched and lives in soil.
Sand Hopper
Small and jumps like a flea. Lives in sandy beaches and hides under seaweed.
Land Crab
Lives mostly on land but returns to sea to breed. Has strong legs and claws.
Fiddler Crab
One small claw and one large claw. Lives in muddy shores and waves its big claw to attract mates.
Coconut Crab
World’s largest land crab. Climbs trees and breaks coconuts with strong claws.
Deep Sea Crustaceans with Unique Adaptations
Some crustaceans live in dark, deep parts of the sea. They have special features to survive without sunlight and pressure changes.
Giant Isopod
Looks like a giant version of a pill bug. Lives deep in the ocean and feeds on dead fish.
Deep Sea Amphipod
Long body and curved back. Lives below 10,000 meters in the sea.
Blind Lobster
Lives in deep water caves. Has no eyes and uses feelers to move.
Yeti Crab
Hairy claws and pale body. Lives near hot vents in deep sea floors.
Hoff Crab
Covered in fuzzy hair. Found near underwater volcanoes.
FAQs
The main types of crustaceans include crabs, lobsters, shrimp, barnacles, krill, and isopods. Some live in water, while others live on land or both.
Shrimp and prawns look alike but have small body differences. Prawns are usually bigger and have straighter bodies than shrimp.
No. While many live in the sea, some crustaceans live on land like woodlice and coconut crabs. Others live in rivers, lakes, or even soil.
Common edible crustaceans include crabs, lobsters, prawns, shrimps, and langoustines. They are used in many seafood dishes around the world.
Crustaceans usually have a hard shell, jointed legs, and no backbone. If it walks sideways or has a shell and legs, it’s likely a crustacean.
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