How are shellfish different from other fish?

Shellfish are not fish at all! They belong to a different category of aquatic animals called invertebrates. Here's a breakdown of their key differences:

Shellfish:

* Lack a backbone: They are invertebrates, meaning they don't have a bony skeleton.

* Have a hard outer shell: This shell protects their soft bodies.

* Live in water: They can be found in both saltwater and freshwater.

* Wide variety: This group includes clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and more.

* Filter feeders: Many shellfish filter food particles from the water.

Fish:

* Have a backbone: They are vertebrates, meaning they have a bony skeleton.

* Have scales or skin: Their outer covering is different from the hard shell of shellfish.

* Live in water: Like shellfish, they live in both saltwater and freshwater.

* Wide variety: There are many different types of fish, from tiny minnows to massive whales.

* Breath with gills: They use gills to extract oxygen from the water.

In short: Shellfish are invertebrates with hard shells, while fish are vertebrates with scales or skin. Although both live in water, they are very different creatures.