Why Are Shrimp Called The Cockroaches Of The Sea? [Explained]

Shrimp are among the most common animals in the sea.

They are an important food for larger fish and for people.

Cockroaches, on the other hand, are well-known pests, and many people are scared of them.

Many people ask whether shrimp and cockroaches are related, and why shrimp are called the cockroaches of the sea.

Here’s the TL;DR:

Shrimp are called cockroaches of the sea because they look and act a bit like cockroaches. Both have a hard exoskeleton, jointed legs and long antennae, both are cold-blooded, and many species of both scavenge on dead plants and animals.

Let's look at the key similarities and differences.

Yes, distantly. Shrimp and cockroaches both belong to the phylum Arthropoda, so they share a common ancestor. But shrimp are crustaceans and cockroaches are insects.

Shrimp live in water and breathe with gills, while cockroaches live on land and breathe air. They are clearly different animals.

Are Cockroaches And Shrimp From The Same Family?

Are cockroaches and shrimp from the same family? No. Shrimp are crustaceans in the class Malacostraca, while cockroaches are insects. They are in different classes, not just different families.

Below are their similarities, followed by their differences.

Similarities Of Shrimp And Cockroaches

Here is why shrimp get called the cockroaches of the sea:

Shrimp Has Exoskeleton Like Cockroaches

Both shrimp and cockroaches have a hard exoskeleton, an outer shell that protects and supports the body. Like all arthropods, they shed it as they grow.

Shrimp And Cockroach Have Many Legs

Both have several pairs of jointed legs, which gives them a similar look. The legs are not harmful to people.

Shrimp And Cockroach Have Long Antennas

Both have long antennae. They use them to sense touch, smells and their surroundings, which helps them find food and avoid danger.

Shrimp And Cockroach Are Both Fast

Cockroaches can run quickly, and some species can fly. Many shrimp escape danger with a fast tail flip, using the strong muscles in the abdomen to shoot backward.

Shrimp And Cockroach Have The Same Eating Habit

Many shrimp are scavengers. They eat bits of dead plants and animals and other organic matter on the seafloor.

Cockroaches are also omnivorous scavengers. They eat dead plant and animal matter as well as human food scraps.

This shared habit of cleaning up leftovers is a big reason for the nickname.

Shrimp And Cockroach Are Cold-blooded

Both are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature depends on their surroundings.

Differences Between Shrimp And Cockroaches

Now let's look at the differences.

Shrimp Are Aquatic And Cockroach Are Terrestrial

Shrimp live in water and breathe with gills. Cockroaches live on land and breathe air through small openings in their bodies.

Shrimp And Cockroach Have Different Number Of Legs

Shrimp are decapods, a name that means "ten legs." Decapods have five pairs of walking legs, and shrimp also have swimming legs (swimmerets) under the abdomen.

Cockroaches, like all insects, have six legs.

Shrimp And Cockroach Have Different Body Segments

Insects such as cockroaches have three body sections: head, thorax and abdomen.

In shrimp and other decapods, the head and the front of the thorax are fused into a cephalothorax, followed by a long, muscular abdomen. So a shrimp's body has two main parts.

Shrimp Are Crustaceans And Cockroach Is A Bug

Both are arthropods, but shrimp are crustaceans and cockroaches are insects. Crabs, lobsters and crayfish are among the shrimp's closer relatives.

How Long Do Shrimp And Cockroaches Live?

It depends on the species. Many shrimp live only a year or two, while some live several years. Cockroach lifespans also vary by species, from several months to over a year.

What Do Shrimp Eat?

Many shrimp are omnivores and scavengers. They eat algae, plankton, small animals and bits of dead plants and animals.

Can Shrimp Survive Out Of The Sea?

Can shrimp survive out of the sea? Only briefly. Shrimp breathe with gills and need water to survive.

Not all shrimp live in the sea, though. Some species live in fresh water.

Are Shrimp Bugs?

No. Shrimp are crustaceans, not insects. Both groups are arthropods, which is why they share features like an exoskeleton and jointed legs.

Conclusion

Shrimp are called the cockroaches of the sea because they look a bit like roaches and many scavenge in the same way. They are still very different animals.

Shrimp are crustaceans with ten legs that live in water, while cockroaches are six-legged insects that live on land.

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Sources

Brown Shrimp (Invertebrate Anatomy OnLine), Lander University