The difference between prawns and shrimps is that prawns have claws on three of their five pairs of legs, shrimp have claws on two of their five pairs of legs. Their gills and body shape are different too. One of the fun facts about prawns is that these arthropods are actually quite good at swimming. They can propel themselves backwards quickly by flexing the muscles of their abdomen and tail, or swim forward more slowly using the appendages on the underside of their tail.

They consume microscopic organic matter by filtering the water around them or sifting through the ocean floor. Some also catch and eat small fish. They are an important source of food for marine animals of all sizes, from crabs, sea urchins and fish to whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Some species of shrimp also have a symbiotic relationship with fish and clean parasites, bacteria, and fungi off their host.