Crustaceans are a large group of aquatic animals that are known to have exoskeletons and segmented bodies.

They can be found in either in salt water or fresh water sources.

Crustaceans such as langoustines and crayfish are popularly eaten as food, and they are used in different ways in different recipes.

Crayfishes are a large group of crustaceans that look like small sized lobsters.

Langoustines are closely related to lobsters, but they are slender and a lot smaller than lobsters.

There are a lot of similarities between langoustines and crawfishes, and in some dishes, crawfishes are often substituted for langoustines.

However, in this post we are going to explore the differences between langoustines and crawfishes.

Langoustines vs. crawfish

Langoustines are saltwater crustaceans and as such they are found in seas and ocean while Crawfish grow in freshwater sources such as lakes and rivers .

Crawfishes are more popular all over the world, and they are also more widely distributed compared to langoustines which can only be found in a few places.

Langoustine are larger in size than crawfish, they are about 3 times larger in size than these small crustaceans who are on an average 3 inches in length.

They are also more expensive and they have a sweeter flavor compared to crawfishes.

Langoustines

Langoustines are crustaceans that are closely related to lobsters 

They are also known by other names including the Dublin bay prawns and Norway lobsters

Langoustines are found in salt water sources like ocean and seas.

These crustaceans are commonly harvested from the north eastern Atlantic ocean and parts of the Mediterranean sea.

Although they are related to lobsters, they are smaller in size compared to lobsters. They also look more like shrimps and have slim claws.

The larger langoustines can reach sizes of up to 10 inches and their exoskeletons have a bright orange colour

These crustaceans are expensive owning to the difficulty in catching them, and also because they have become rare.

They are easily perishable and storing them is also difficult

Langoustines are preferred fresh but could also be available frozen

These crustaceans are a delicacy. The smaller sized langoustines are preferred as their meat is sweeter, although they have a smaller meat compared to the larger sized langoustines

Langoustines are caught for the meat in their tails and also the meat in their claws

In the smaller sized langoustines, there is sometimes hardly any meat in the claws

Langoustines are very tasty with a complex flavor, and their exoskeleton could also be used to make soups

Crawfish

Crawfish are another group of edible crustaceans with many different species.

They may also be known as crayfish or mudbugs.

True crawfish are freshwater crustaceans. The fresh water sources where crawfishes are found include rivers, lakes and swamps.

These crustaceans can be found Europe, Australia, America and some parts of Asia.

Crawfishes could reach sizes of about 3 inches. These crustaceans look like small sized lobster and they have a similar taste as a lobster.

The shell of crayfish could be different colors; there are brown, black and also blue species of crayfishes.

Crayfishes are popularly eaten worldwide, commonly eaten crawfishes include the red swamp crayfish and red claw crayfish.

Crawfishes are prepared in different ways, they can be steamed or boiled, crawfish could also be used in different dishes

The color of crawfishes changes to a bright red color when they are cooked.

They are often cooked whole, but the meat is found in the tail. The claws of crawfish could have some meat too.

The shells of the crayfish are also rich in flavour, and their shells can be used to make a flavourful broth or soup

In conclusion

Crustaceans like crawfish and langoustines are often referred to as shellfish, although the name can be used to describe both crustaceans and molluscs.

They tail and claw meats of these crustaceans are highly nutritious sources of protein, healthy fats , minerals and vitamins. They are also low in calories.

However, these crustaceans may trigger allergic reactions in those with shellfish allergies.