Squid vs. Prawn — What's the Difference?

Marine cephalopods with a mantle and tentacles.

Omnivorous feeders.

Have elongated bodies.

Live in various water environments.

Known for their ability to squirt ink.

Crustaceans with segmented bodies.

Carnivorous diet.

Valued for their sweet taste.

Used in diverse cuisines.

Used in a wide range of dishes.

Squid are cephalopods in the superorder Decapodiformes with elongated bodies, large eyes, eight arms and two tentacles. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, and a mantle.

Prawn is a common name for small aquatic crustaceans with an exoskeleton and ten legs (which is a member of the order decapoda), some of which can be eaten.The term "prawn" is used particularly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth nations, for large swimming crustaceans or shrimp, especially those with commercial significance in the fishing industry. Shrimp that are present in this category often belong to the suborder Dendrobranchiata.

A device that measures minute changes in magnetic flux by means of one or more Josephson junctions, often used to detect extremely small changes in magnetic fields, electric currents, and voltages.

Any of various shrimps, especially one that is large or inhabits fresh water.

Any of various marine cephalopod mollusks of several families of the superorder Decapodiformes (or Decabrachia), having a usually elongated body, eight arms and two tentacles, a reduced or absent internal shell, and a pair of fins.

The flesh of a prawn, used as food.

Any of several carnivorous marine cephalopod mollusks, of the order Teuthida, having a mantle, eight arms, and a pair of tentacles

To fish for prawns.

A fishhook with a piece of bright lead, bone, or other substance fastened on its shank to imitate a squid.

A crustacean of the suborder Dendrobranchiata.

A sailor in the Navy.

(Commonwealth) A crustacean, sometimes confused with shrimp.

A quid; one pound sterling.

Synonym of butterface: A woman with an attractive body but an unattractive face.

A motorcyclist, especially a sport biker, characterized by reckless riding and lack of protective gear.

A fool, an idiot.

(angling) To fish with the kind of hook called a squid.

Alternative form of porn.

(parachuting) To cause squidding an improper, partial, parachute inflation, that results in the sides of the parachute folding in on the center, and pulsating back and forth.

(intransitive) To fish for prawns.

Any one of numerous species of ten-armed cephalopods having a long, tapered body, and a caudal fin on each side; especially, any species of Loligo, Ommastrephes, and related genera. See Calamary, Decacerata, Dibranchiata.

Any one of numerous species of large shrimplike Crustacea having slender legs and long antennæ. They mostly belong to the genera Pandalus, Palæmon, Palæmonetes, and Peneus, and are much used as food. The common English prawn is Palæmon serratus.

A fishhook with a piece of bright lead, bone, or other substance, fastened on its shank to imitate a squid.

Any of various edible decapod crustaceans

(Italian cuisine) squid prepared as food

Shrimp-like decapod crustacean having two pairs of pincers; most are edible

Widely distributed fast-moving ten-armed cephalopod mollusk having a long tapered body with triangular tail fins

Fish for prawns

Squid has a firmer texture and milder flavor, while prawns are known for their sweet and delicate taste.

Due to their different textures and flavors, they are not generally interchangeable without affecting the dish's outcome.

Prawns can be found in both fresh and saltwater environments, including rivers, lakes, and the ocean floor.

Both are nutritious, offering high protein content, but prawns are higher in cholesterol, while squid provides a good source of minerals.

Squid are ink-squirting cephalopods with tentacles, while prawns are exoskeleton-bearing crustaceans.

Squid release ink as a defense mechanism to escape from predators.

Squid's firm texture makes it suitable for frying and grilling, while prawn's delicate texture is versatile in cooking.

Squid ink is safe for most people to consume and is used as a natural coloring and flavoring agent in cooking.

Squid use spermatophores for reproduction, often involving complex rituals, whereas prawns have a more straightforward process with females carrying eggs.

Squid is often grilled or fried as calamari, while prawns can be cooked in various ways, including boiling, grilling, or added to curries.

Prawns are popular in a variety of dishes, from shrimp cocktails and salads to curries and pasta.

Prawns can live in both fresh and saltwater, but most squid species are found in the ocean.

Squid are classified as cephalopods due to their distinct body structure, including a head, mantle, and tentacles.

Squid are important predators in the marine food chain, while prawns contribute to the ecosystem as both prey and scavengers.

Prawns are preyed upon by a wide range of marine life, including fish, sea birds, and humans.