Shrimps Crabs and Lobsters: Decapoda

As a group, decapods are omnivorous, which means they eat both plant and animal materials. Lobsters, shrimps, and many crabs mostly prey on other animals, including fish, worms, mollusks, and other crustaceans. Occasionally, when the opportunity arises, they will scavenge the dead bodies of these and other marine animals. Some crabs and shrimps are filter feeders. They use their bristly antennae, maxillipeds, or legs to strain out bits of food floating in the water. Other filter feeders stir up sand and mud to strain out food that has settled on the bottom. Many marine and freshwater decapods eat plants, but will sometimes feed on animal flesh when it is available.