Types of Shrimp

When you go to the supermarket, fish market, or read a restaurant menu, it's common to see a variety of shrimp-related names. But how many types of shrimp are there?

What are shrimp?

You probably already know this, but let's review it. Prawns are marine decapod crustaceans with elongated bodies, thin shells, and a characteristic sea flavor. They are a type of seafood highly prized in Mediterranean cuisine and in many other culinary traditions around the world.

Differences between prawns, shrimp, and other seafood

It's common to confuse shrimp with prawns or langoustines , but there are clear differences in texture, flavor, and size. If you're interested in learning more, we recommend reading this comparison between shrimp and langoustines.

Main types of shrimp and their characteristics

Name of the shrimp	Latin name	brief description	Common habitat
Red or striped shrimp	Aristeus antennatus	Intense flavor and bright red color. Highly prized in the Mediterranean.	Mediterranean (Denia, Garrucha)
white prawn	Parapenaeus longirostris	Milder flavor, ideal for cooking.	Atlantic (Huelva, Cádiz)
Garrucha prawn	Aristeus antennatus	Fine texture and powerful flavor.	Almeria
Denia prawn	Aristeus antennatus	Juicy and tasty meat, typical of the area.	Denia, Alicante
Huelva prawn	Parapenaeus longirostris	Freshness and smooth flavor.	Gulf of Cádiz

Crystal shrimp	Palaemon serratus	Translucent, soft and small, ideal for frying.	Galicia, Atlantic coast

Red or striped shrimp (Aristeus antennatus)

Red prawns are highly prized for their intense sea flavor and bright red color. They are found mainly in the Mediterranean and are famous in areas like Denia and Garrucha. Ideal grilled or baked in salt.

White shrimp ( Parapenaeus longirostris )

Scientifically known as Parapenaeus longirostris , this shrimp has a milder flavor than the red shrimp. It is very common on the Atlantic coast, especially in Huelva, where it is considered a culinary delicacy. It is usually cooked or added to salads. Discover more about the common shrimp.

Garrucha prawn (Aristeus antennatus)

Originally from Almería, this shrimp stands out for its flavor and fine texture. It is highly prized in haute cuisine, especially grilled.

Denia prawn (Aristeus antennatus)

From the Alicante coast, this variety is known for its juicy and flavorful flesh. It's often prepared with salt or boiled to preserve its natural flavor.

Huelva prawn (Parapenaeus longirostris)

Very similar to white shrimp, this variety is caught in the Gulf of Cádiz and is characterized by its freshness and mild flavor. Ideal for cooking or preparing with garlic.

Crystal shrimp (Palaemon serratus)

Translucent shrimp with a delicate flavor, ideal for frying or cooking. It is caught off the Atlantic coast, especially in Galicia.

How many types of shrimp are there?

There are more than 300 different species classified as shrimp worldwide, although between six and ten main varieties are commonly consumed in Spain and Europe. Each has its own unique habitat, flavor, and preparation method.

Culinary uses according to the type of shrimp

Each variety has its best cooking method:

Red shrimp: ideal grilled or with salt.
white prawn: perfect cooked or in salads.
Garrucha prawn: grilled with coarse salt.
Enlisted: It is recommended to bake it or use it in stews.

With this guide, you can now differentiate the main types of shrimp, learn how many there are, and how to get the most out of them in your kitchen. Remember that each variety has its own charm, and learning about them will make you enjoy this delicious seafood even more.