When do we call it a 'prawn' and when do we call it a 'shrimp'?

Question

They seem like the same thing to me...and they certainly taste the same!

Answer 1

A closely related variety of shrimp is the prawn. People often wonder what the difference is between the two. Depending on where in the world you happen to ask the question, the answer can be quite different.
That's because many regional differences of opinion concerning this question have developed. These may be distinctions without a difference in some cases, as certain kinds of each type are hard to tell apart. Their flavors too can be similar depending on preparation style.

In the U.S. for instance, many people refer to any large size shrimp as a prawn. In Europe and some Asian countries, prawns are considered large decapods with long antennae and toothed beaks, some varieties of which have slender bodies, with tails that don't curve under as much as typical shrimp tails.

Answer 2

i caught a prawn one day fishing and theyre really scary looking. It looks like they have a head at each end, some pincher looking appendages, and they're much larger than shrimp. They'll also bite the kr@p out of you. A shrimp is smaller, curled up in general and has a spike sticking out of its head with which it can stab you. Also when you eat shrimp, it's just that. But when you buy prawn crackers from the Chinese food resteraunt, then you know it's a prawn.
;)

Answer 3

I call it both, I think shrimp are smaller than prawns. I live in New Zealand

Answer 4

we call it a prawn wen its a prawn n we call it a shrimp wen its a shrimp, there was so easy