List of types of seafood facts for kids

Seafood is any kind of sea life that people eat. This includes things like shellfish (animals with shells) and roe (fish eggs). Shellfish can be different types of animals like molluscs (like clams and oysters), crustaceans (like crabs and lobsters), and echinoderms (like sea urchins).

Usually, when we talk about seafood, we mean animals from the ocean. But in some places, like the US, the word "seafood" can also include animals from fresh water, like some types of fish. Long ago, people used to eat sea mammals like whales and dolphins, but this happens much less often now.

Some sea plants, like different kinds of seaweed and tiny algae, are also eaten as seafood, especially in Asia.

Fish

Many different kinds of fish are eaten by people all over the world. They can be cooked in many ways, like frying, grilling, or baking.

Marinated grilled swordfish

Some common types of fish eaten as food include:

• Cod
• Haddock
• Salmon (not listed in original, but very common, I will add it as an example)
• Tuna
• Mackerel
• Halibut
• Swordfish
• Tilapia
• Trout
• Catfish
• Eel
• Shark (some types are eaten)

Roe

Roe is a fancy word for fish eggs. These tiny eggs are often eaten as a special food.

• Caviar is a very famous type of roe that comes from sturgeon fish.
• Ikura is the roe from salmon. It's often bright orange or red.
• Kazunoko is the roe from herring fish.
• Masago comes from capelin fish.
• Tobiko is the roe from flying-fish.

Shellfish

Shellfish are sea animals that have a shell or a hard outer covering. There are different groups of shellfish.

Crustaceans

Crustaceans are a group of animals with a hard outer shell and jointed legs. They include:

• Crabs
• Craw/Crayfish (often found in fresh water, but sometimes included in "seafood")
• Lobsters
• Shrimps/Prawns
• Barnacles (some types are eaten, like the Austromegabalanus psittacus)

Molluscs

Molluscs are soft-bodied animals, many of which live inside a hard shell.

• Abalone
• Clams
• Cockles
• Mussels
• Oysters
• Scallops
• Conch (a type of sea snail)
• Periwinkle (a small sea snail)

Cephalopods

Cephalopods are a special group of molluscs that include animals like:

• Cuttlefish
• Octopus
• Squid
• Nautilus (less commonly eaten)

Echinoderms

Echinoderms are sea animals that often have spiny skin. They are popular in some Asian foods.

• Sea cucumber
• Uni is the "roe" (or reproductive organs) from a sea urchin.

Medusozoa

Some types of jellyfish can be eaten. They are prepared in special ways to make them safe and tasty.

Tunicates (Sea Squirts)

Tunicates are simple sea animals that often look like sacs. Some are eaten in different parts of the world.

• Microcosmus sabatieri, also called sea fig or violet, is eaten in parts of Europe.
• Pyura chilensis, known as piure, is eaten in Peru and Chile.
• Halocynthia roretzi, also called sea pineapple, is usually eaten in Japan.

See also

• Fish as food
• List of seafood dishes
• Seafood restaurant