Author: Oluwafemi Ajayi

Oluwafemi Ajayi is a Nutrition and Food Systems Specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In his role, he supports technical activities on food-based dietary guidelines, food loss, and waste, and nutrition-sensitive value chains.

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Knowledgebase

How To Distinguish Between Crayfish, Prawn and Shrimp

crayfish

In many parts of the world, people find it quite difficult to distinguish between crayfish, prawn and shrimp. A large population of people don’t care what they are called and they don’t feel the need to go the extra mile to find out. They all look alike, so they use those names interchangeably. It doesn’t matter to some whether they are calling  shrimps as prawns, they just want to eat it.

Generally in America, both shrimps and prawns are called shrimps while they are referred to as prawns by Brits and Australians. This has further confused so many people, including natives of those countries.

What Is The Difference Between Prawn, Shrimp & Crayfish

In this short article, I will try my best to highlight what and what set these crustaceans apart. In some cases, it is quite easy to notice, especially for crayfish. The major confusion usually arises when it comes to differentiate between prawn and shrimp.

Crayfish

When comparing their physique, crayfish can be easily distinguished from prawns and shrimps. Crayfish are bigger than prawns. Even a 6-year old can differentiate between the two. It only gets tricky when it comes to prawn and shrimps; they look very much alike.

crayfish illustrated

Differences Between Prawns and Shrimps

Here is where it can get confusing because prawn and shrimp look very much alike. If you ask some people how they distinguish between the two, they can tell you that one is bigger in size than the other. This is actually wrong. They belong to the same family and therefore look very much alike.

Body Structure/Shape of Shrimp VS Prawn

When you look at the body structure of the two, you would notice some differences. Prawns have claws on three of their five pairs of legs while shrimp have claws on two of their five pairs of legs.

Also, you will observe a marked bend on on the shrimp as against the prawn, which has its bend in form of a curve. There is no marked or sharp bend on prawn (see illustration below).

physical differences between prawn and shrimps

Generally, they are easier to distinguish in live form or freshly after being cut. After they are cooked and processed, it is very difficult to separate prawns from shrimps.

If you have any other contribution to make to help us all, please drop a comment. Thank you.

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Food & Health

You Think Fresh Fish Is Better Than Frozen Fish, See This

Fresh Fish vs Frozen Fish: Which Is Better?

Fresh Fish vs Frozen Fish: Which Is The Healthier Option? — People have always asked which is better between fresh fish and frozen fish. There is this general belief that fresh foods are always healthier than their preserved form. This is also true for sea foods like fish. A lot of people I asked this question before writing this article believed that fresh fish is always healthier than frozen fish.

I am going to discuss in this post, why fresh fish may not always be healthier than frozen fish.

Caught fish begins to spoil and deteriorate in quality immediately after death. This process is a gradual one that starts from development of undesirable flavors to softening of the flesh and eventually substantial losses of fluid containing protein and fat. At this point, the fish may start to smell. Therefore, one could say it’s safer to start preservation of fish immediately.

Fresh Fish vs Frozen Fish: Which Is Better?

How Freezing Is Used To Preserve Fish?

Before I go into details of this, let me explain how freezing is used to preserve fish. About 60-80 percent of fish is water depending on the species. By reducing the temperature of the dead fish (refrigeration or freezing), deterioration can be slowed down.

If the temperature can lowered and maintained low enough, spoilage can be almost stopped. Fast freezing is used to preserve fish immediately they are captured and therefore, the water composition of the fish is made into fine ice crystals. This preserves the fish as well as protect the tissues from damages.

RECOMMENDED: Is Smoked Fish Dangerous To Your Health?

So, Is  Fresh Fish Healthier Than Frozen Fish?

I wouldn’t say yes to that. Unless you are absolutely sure it’s high-quality and fresh fish, your best option is to go for frozen fish. Because fish is flash-frozen immediately after being caught, little or no spoilage occurs and the nutrients in the fish are preserved. After thawing the fish, the fish should still have quality and be as near as healthy as when they were caught.

Fresh fish that was never frozen may have spent a number of days on fishing ships. Their qualities would have reduced during this period and they would no longer be as healthy. If I have to answer the question of which is better or healthier between fresh and frozen fish, i would say that you should only trust fresh fish that you killed yourself.

We should strive to eat healthy fish for a number reasons — It lowers blood pressure, cuts the risk of irregular heartbeats, and drops the risk of fatal heart disease by 36%.

ALSO SEE: Is Catfish Truly Toxic To Your Health?

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Food & Nutrition

Debunking The Myth On Catfish: Good Source Of Healthy Protein

catfish

At a time in Nigeria, the consumption of fish was generally low as people will prefer to eat meat products. Gradually, as the proliferation of the production of fresh fish began to find its way into the economy of our nation, we started to witness geometric growth in the consumption of fresh fish and an obvious decline in the number of those who patronize imported frozen fish based on the many options of freshly processed fish that stare the consumers in the face.

In the light of meat consumption causing increase in many diseases particularly those that concerns the heart, it remains quite a healthy choice to substitute meat for fish in some our meals.

catfish

Catfish and Its Nutritional Benefits

Catfish is a group of slippery skinned fish usually with large head. In Nigeria, the very common type is Clarias gariepinus which is sold in all popular joints and food outlets within major cities in Nigeria. It has become a delicious meal for people who are lovers of fish.

One interesting attribute of catfish is that it supplies enough amino acid and helps in developing your muscles. According to some authors, the protein in catfish is described as complete protein. Also, there is no better and easier way to boost your intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid; a combination of nutrients that boost your heart condition and play an important part in your body’s health.

Asides the high protein content, catfish supplies good amount of vitamin B12 which is a critical for improved health. It is also low in mercury; a mineral that affect the nervous system and had been found to cause birth defect in some pregnant women at child birth.

Why Would Catfish Be Labelled Toxic?

In some articles, the consumption of catfish and other farm raised fish have been labelled toxic due to the pesticides and antibiotics levels but this is completely untrue as the quantity of these items used during the raising of the fish is completely negligible and have not been found to cause any health damage. The recent report spreading through the internet, claiming catfish is unhealthy and toxic is very laughable and holds no water.

The proponents of this claim are propagating this information based on researched carried out on fish reared in the US. Although, I still have some doubts on their claims but it is outrightly erroneous to conclude that all cat fish raised in other parts of the world are toxic based on those raised in the US.

Also, some food and nutrition writers have have condemned consumption of farm-raised catfish and have reported that the farm raised catfish have no nutrient compared to those caught in natural waters. While this can be true in a way, the argument is not enough reason to label them toxic as most meat products are farm raised and not caught in the wild.

Catfish pepper soup is a sure healthy food to eat any day, any time especially when garnished with ginger, garlic, onions and other natural ingredients that will improve not just the taste and flavour but the nutrient level. In this December period, do not forget to get some servings of home made catfish pepper soup.