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English Vocabulary

Seafood Names in English

50 Seafood Names in English with Full List – Illustrated Vocabulary

Learning seafood names helps understand food menus, recipes, and ingredient labels in English. It supports English learners in identifying edible sea creatures and improves daily English vocabulary. Whether you’re in a seafood market or reading a recipe, these names make conversations easier. This blog post helps learn seafood names through categories like fish, shellfish, and menu-based terms in beginner-friendly English.

Common Seafoods Names in English with Pictures

These are the most common fish names used in English for learning and food vocabulary. They include everyday, market, and cooking vocabulary:

  • Salmon
  • Tuna
  • Cod
  • Mackerel
  • Sardine
  • Anchovy
  • Haddock
  • Trout
  • Halibut
  • Snapper
  • Swordfish
  • Catfish
  • Tilapia
  • Flounder
  • Bass
  • Grouper
  • Herring
  • Pike
  • Carp
  • Barramundi
List of Seafood Items Names in English for Beginners
Categorized list of seafood names in English with pictures and menu terms

Shellfish Names for Vocabulary Practice

Below is a list of shellfish names often seen in food markets and English recipe books:

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  • Shrimp
  • Prawn
  • Crab
  • Lobster
  • Oyster
  • Clam
  • Mussel
  • Scallop
  • Crawfish
  • Abalone

Seafood Vocabulary Words for Beginners

This list gives more general seafood words useful for beginners:

  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Fillet
  • Whole fish
  • Smoked fish
  • Grilled fish
  • Boiled shrimp
  • Fried calamari
  • Seafood soup
  • Fish stew

English Names for Edible Sea Creatures

This section focuses on sea animals that are commonly eaten. It includes both sea and freshwater creatures used in cooking.

Saltwater Fish

  • Tuna
  • Mackerel
  • Anchovy
  • Swordfish
  • Grouper
  • Snapper

Freshwater Fish

  • Carp
  • Trout
  • Catfish
  • Pike
  • Tilapia
  • Bass

Brackish Water Fish

  • Barramundi
  • Mullet

Crustaceans, Mollusks, and Other Sea Animals

This list helps understand the categories of seafood often found in biology and cooking vocabulary:

Crustaceans

  • Shrimp
  • Crab
  • Lobster
  • Prawn
  • Crawfish

Mollusks

  • Oyster
  • Mussel
  • Clam
  • Scallop
  • Squid
  • Octopus
  • Cuttlefish

Other Sea Creatures

  • Eel
  • Sea Urchin
  • Jellyfish (edible varieties)
  • Sea Cucumber

Different Types of Seafood Names in English

Organizing seafood names by category helps with cooking, shopping, and daily use in spoken and written English.

Popular Fish and Ocean Food Words

These are seafood terms you often hear in cooking shows, recipes, and grocery lists:

  • Grilled salmon
  • Fried mackerel
  • Baked cod
  • Tuna sandwich
  • Smoked haddock
  • Seafood pasta
  • Fish and chips
  • Crab cakes
  • Shrimp curry
  • Clam chowder

Market and Menu Words Related to Seafood

These terms are common in seafood menus and markets:

  • Fresh catch
  • Boneless fillet
  • Seafood platter
  • Fish market
  • Raw bar
  • Steamed mussels
  • Lobster tail
  • Crab leg
  • Catch of the day
  • Shellfish section

More about Seafood and their Uses

Seafood NameShort Description
SalmonA pink, oily fish rich in omega-3, often grilled or baked.
TunaA firm, meaty fish popular in sushi and canned goods.
CodA mild white fish commonly used in fish and chips.
HaddockA flaky white fish, often smoked or deep-fried.
HalibutA large flatfish with firm, sweet-tasting meat.
MackerelAn oily fish with bold flavor and health benefits.
SardineSmall, oily fish eaten grilled or canned.
AnchovyTiny, salty fish used in sauces and toppings.
SnapperWhite-fleshed fish with a slightly sweet taste.
TilapiaA mild, affordable fish commonly farm-raised.
Sea bassA moist white fish with a delicate flavor.
GrouperFirm, lean fish with a light, sweet flavor.
SwordfishThick, meaty fish steaks, ideal for grilling.
Mahi-mahiBright-colored fish with firm, slightly sweet meat.
CatfishFreshwater fish with a clean, earthy taste.
TroutFreshwater fish similar to salmon, but milder.
FlounderFlatfish with fine-textured, mild white flesh.
SoleMild, subtly sweet flatfish, soft in texture.
PollockA low-cost white fish used in processed foods.
HerringSmall, oily fish often pickled or smoked.
BarramundiWhite fish with buttery, moist meat from Australia.
BluefishOily fish with a bold, fishy flavor.
EelSoft, rich seafood often found in Asian dishes.
KingfishFirm-textured fish, ideal for grills or frying.
WhitefishGeneric term for mild, white-fleshed fish.
RockfishLean Pacific fish with clean, sweet taste.
AmberjackFirm fish with a slightly oily, buttery flavor.
WahooLean, mild-tasting fast swimmer, great grilled.
MonkfishDeep-sea fish with lobster-like texture.
John DoryDelicate, mild white fish prized by chefs.
LobsterPremium shellfish with sweet, firm tail meat.
CrabShellfish with flaky, sweet white meat.
ShrimpSmall, juicy seafood used in many global dishes.
PrawnLarger than shrimp, slightly sweeter in taste.
ScallopSoft, round mollusk with a sweet, tender flavor.
OysterBriny shellfish often eaten raw on the half shell.
ClamChewy, salty mollusk used in chowders and pasta.
MusselMild, plump mollusk with a rich sea flavor.
SquidSoft-bodied seafood, often fried as calamari.
CuttlefishSimilar to squid, with a thicker body.
OctopusFirm-textured seafood, popular grilled or stewed.
Sea cucumberJelly-like seafood used in Asian cuisine.
AbaloneDelicate shellfish with a chewy, rich flavor.
ConchSpiral-shelled mollusk with firm, sweet meat.
Razor clamLong, narrow clam with tender meat.
CockleSmall clam-like shellfish with a briny bite.
LangoustineSmall lobster-like shellfish with sweet meat.
CrawfishFreshwater crustacean similar to a small lobster.
Arctic charCold-water fish like trout, mild and fatty.
TilefishDeep-sea fish with mild, firm white flesh.

FAQs

What are common seafood names in English?

Common seafood names in English include salmon, tuna, shrimp, crab, oyster, and scallop used widely in menus and recipes.

Is crab a shellfish or crustacean?

In English, crab is both a shellfish and a crustacean. It belongs to the crustacean group under shellfish.

What is the difference between freshwater and saltwater fish?

Freshwater fish like trout live in rivers, while saltwater fish like tuna live in the ocean. The terms tell where they come from.

Are oysters and clams the same in English cooking?

No. While both are shellfish, oysters are eaten raw or grilled, and clams are usually cooked in soups or sauces.

What seafood terms do I see on restaurant menus?

Menus often list items like grilled salmon, seafood platter, crab cakes, raw oysters, and fish fillet for easy ordering.

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