2. However, the two names came in different times and those were coined by two … And both feed exclusively on anything they can find on the bottom of their water habitats. These two creatures, though different sizes are indeed related down the line, only, at some point, one migrated to the Oceans and one to the lakes. They are indeed active hunters of fish and I have observed them catch and eat a live fish. The earliest fossil records of crayfish that were ever found were traced in Australia, as many as 115 million years back. They do eat anything live they can get their claws on. Crawfish have been called many things – one of these things being the “poor man’s lobster”. Lobsters are cannibalistic under pressure and eat their own skin while molting, whereas crawfish show no such habits. If you placed a Maine lobster next to a crawfish, the only major difference most people would notice is the size. Lobsters are cannibalistic under pressure and eat their own skin while molting, whereas crawfish show no such habits. Shrimp is a see also of crayfish. However, their size is smaller compared to the lobsters. These usually look like small lobsters and are organically related to them as well, whereas lobsters are essentially crustaceans infesting marine water. Crayfish would look out of place in contexts involving Southern cooking, so even though crawfish is not technically standard, it is the better choice. They are two different animals that differ in their sizes, habitats, and semantics. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of followup comments via e-mail, November 3, 2009 • 3 comments. ONLINE. Caribbean crawfish/crayfish/lobster the same animal. They both look the same but crawfish seems to be a tad more expensive on some menus? Boiled, baked, or cooked into a delicious etouffee, crawfish are one of the most versatile foods available. When it comes to crawfish vs. crayfish or crawdads vs. crawfish, everybody is talking about the same creature, more or less. Lobster is usually boiled and steamed – and usually just the tails – then often dipped in butter. The name clawed lobsters comes from the fact that lobsters have 10 legs of which the front ones are adapted to work like claws. Crayfish Vs Lobster; Crayfish Vs Lobster. If they are not harvested, sometimes lobsters even grow a lot longer. And if you would like to experience a little bit of Louisiana without the travel, we offer live, Louisiana crawfish delivered right to your door! They know that… 3. Crawfish. Answer 1 of 12: OK - don't laugh, but I must ask :) :) I'm there next month and can hardly wait - but... what is the difference between crawfish and lobster? A crayfish is reddish in color whilst a lobster is bluish, greenish or brownish. Shundalyn Allen. While molting they experience color changes. If you don’t think you can remember this, here is a helpful trick to remember crawfish vs. crayfish. As a verb crawfish is (dialect|southern us) to backpedal, desert or withdraw, used with out . Crayfish are smaller but sweeter? Lastly are both available in December, we want to try both? Answer 1 of 8: This topic in the States is obvious, Maine lobsters and crawfish in the states have claws and there is a huge difference in size and taste. Just be sure to suck the heads. Some species … Lobsters are traditionally boiled and steamed, though it’s usually just the tails that are cooked and often dipped in butter. Crawfish average in size from two to six inches in length, while lobster can grow to more than twenty inches. Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans while lobsters are marine crustaceans. Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans while lobsters are marine crustaceans. The problem is that “lobster” and “crayfish” are common English words with different meanings in different places. They DO eat their moulted shell. But I suspect your whole town may still be stupid. They breathe through feather-like gills. Live crawfish season may be over, but our WHOLE COOKED CRAWFISH are a great alternative. Crayfish is a synonym of crawfish. The size is a big difference. Crawfish eats dead animals and plants while lobster eats live plants and animals. They have similar body structure, same pair of legs antennae, pincers etc. I got Lobsters from Maine and trapped 300 crawfish to do a taste test with! The flesh was still inside. While in Anguilla I eat as much lobster as I can! Like their cousin the lobster, crawfish are decapod (ten-limbed) crustaceans. This helps replenish their calcium and he grew another claw. Crayfish, also known as crawfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, mountain lobsters, mudbugs or yabbies, are fresh water crustaceans resembling small lobsters, to which they are related; taxonomically, they are members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea. He ate the whole entire thing. New England lobster a totally different animal. 2. On the contrary, lobsters can stretch longer, up to 5 to 10 cm more, or 20 cm at an average. And there you have it, the biggest differences and similarities between crawfish and lobsters. In the context of regional cuisine, however, crawfish is more recognizable. The truth is, crawfish and the northeastern Maine lobster have much more in common than other creatures – including many that are actually called lobster. Secondly, the crayfish, otherwise known as the crawfish, is said to be shorter than the average clawed lobsters. They know that they have to use the proper ingredients in the correct proportions to make the dish turn out as intended. Crayfish were traditionally eaten in parts of South America, Peru and Australia whereas Lobsters were more … Answer 1 of 27: In the States it is obvious what the difference is. The periods of growth are rather vulnerable for the lobsters. Lobsters are commonly considered to be a delicacy, whereas crawfish are typically thought of as used in “down-home” cooking. They have a hard exoskeleton to protect their inner tissues and vital organs. Answer 1 of 12: OK - don't laugh, but I must ask :) :) I'm there next month and can hardly wait - but... what is the difference between crawfish and lobster? - Quora. Adult sized crayfishes can reach lengths of 10 to 15 cm. But lobsters, unlike crayfish, at times also resort to cannibalism under extreme conditions and eat their own flesh after molting. 4. Crawfish are usually boiled whole in spicy Cajun seasoning and served whole in a pile with potatoes and corn. They will also eat dead fish like you said but not rotten. I actually find the Spiny Lobster … Crayfish are creatures that are known for their distinctive relation to lobsters. Published: 20 May, 2018. Nonetheless, the common European lobster found in the wild and the royal blue lobsters of Audresselles were traditionally relished by the aristocratic families and royal families of Netherlands and France. I've only eaten it in the Bahamas but I think its the same animal all over the caribbean. Crayfish is an altered form of the Middle English word crevis, which derived from the Anglo-French word creveis, which had the stress on the second syllable. On the other hand clawed lobsters fall within the family of Nephropidae or Homaridae at times. Crawfish eats dead animals and plants while lobster eats live plants and animals. Taste-wise, what is the difference between a lobster and a crayfish? Crayfish exist in diverse colors. I figured they'd be pretty comparable! You can’t just throw anything into a pot and expect it to taste good. I actually prefer the Caribbean because it has less fat and is easier to eat/handle. Crawdads? And People claim they taste different. Your email address will not be published. Crayfish vs Lobster Seems that basically, according to that leaflet, Cray and Crayfish seem to have been the traditional terms for it? • Crayfish in general is smaller in size (2-6 inches) to lobsters (8 inches). But in Anguilla from the photos Ive seen they appear only slightly smaller. Crawfish on the other hand are usually boiled whole in homemade spicy Cajun seasoning and served whole in a pile of potatoes and corn, or in other Cajun dishes such as etouffee an… Crayfish were traditionally eaten in parts of South America, Peru and Australia whereas Lobsters were more common in the European continent particularly favored in France and Netherlands. While there are hundreds of crawfish species throughout the world, their various common names of "cray" or "craw" don't refer to these minor differences among the species. They do also eat their own flesh AND will become cannibalistic as most/all crustaceans do. The two names crayfish and crawfish have reference to the same group of crustaceans of two superfamilies namely Astacoidea and Parastacoidea. One of the things that is uniquely Louisiana is the crawfish. Crawfish or crayfish are basically crustaceans commonly found in freshwater. Crawfish are usually boiled whole in spicy Cajun seasoning and served whole in a pile with potatoes and corn. This is probably the biggest difference between the two crustaceans. Both the Crayfish and Lobster trace a long history, but characteristically quite different from each other. A blue crayfish may have pink dots or lining along the shell. However, the biggest difference in flavor has little to do with the creature, and more to do with regional preparation. Furthermore, each of the body segments has two appendages. Crayfish vs. Crawfish. Some may have a single color while others may show a variety of colors. Crayfish. 1. I have Crayfish/crawfish and they exhibit the behavior you have stated they do not. • Crayfish is found in lakes, streams and rivers… Crayfish and crawfish are crustaceans living in freshwater with a great resemblance of the lobsters. In China, crayfish is called xiao lóngxiā (小龙虾), or “little lobster”. Both are quite delicious, so whether you are visiting the Northeast or the Southern states be sure to take advantage of the local cuisine. While some of your info is correct, some is not. Their exoskeleton can be yellow, pink, orange, brown, or greenish-blue. Depending on where you are located, there is a good chance you are referring to the same delicious critter we like to call the crawfish down here in Louisiana. There is more to Lobster and Crawfish than cooking methods and regional availabilities. Often scenes of men fishing lobsters can be found portrayed in certain Dutch paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries. Just be sure to suck the heads. 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