Is A Shrimp Also A Prawn Also A Scampi?

[GlorifiedRice]

Hi,

Im having a debate.

Is there any difference between SHRIMP, PRAWNS OR SCAMPI?

I say no, they are all the same thing. But my debate mates say all 3 are different things.

What say you?

[Anna N]

I say it depends on where you live what you call each! I, however, believe that a prawn is different than a shrimp - but what do I know.

[Peter the eater]

It depends where you live who you ask. There's probably a precise biological explanation, but I go with local lingo even if it's confusing. For example, I buy local shrimp (Pandalus borealis) which gets sold as cold, deep, or Atlantic shrimp. The same creature is a sold as a prawn in Europe. I believe any large shrimp is called a prawn in Australia.

<edit to undangle my participle)

Edited May 12, 2010 by Peter the eater (log)

[Joe Blowe]

Short answer is No.

Long answer is See Wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prawn

Order: Decapoda

Suborder: Dendrobranchiata

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrimp

Order: Decapoda

Suborder: Pleocyemata

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scampi

Order: Decapoda

Infraorder: Astacidea