small crustacean crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're stuck on the "small crustacean" crossword clue, you've come to the right place. We've compiled all possible answers, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you back on track and complete your puzzle.
Solutions for "small crustacean crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
KRILL: A small, shrimp-like planktonic crustacean, forming a vital part of the ocean food chain, especially for whales.
6 Letters
SHRIMP: A small, elongated swimming crustacean with a compressed body, often found in marine and freshwater environments, popular as seafood.
7 Letters
COPEPOD: A group of tiny crustaceans found in nearly every freshwater and saltwater habitat, a crucial food source for many aquatic animals.
8 Letters
BARNACLE: A sessile marine crustacean with a hard shell, which attaches itself to submerged surfaces such as rocks, ship hulls, and whales.
More About "small crustacean crossword clue"
Small crustaceans are a common and often tricky subject in crosswords due to the variety of species that fit the description and their often scientific or specific names. Beyond the common KRILL or SHRIMP, clues might hint at less familiar but equally valid answers like COPEPODs or DAPHNIA (water fleas), which are microscopic but undeniably crustaceans.
Crossword constructors love these clues because they allow for different lengths and can be clued in various ways, from their habitat to their role in the ecosystem. Recognizing that "small crustacean" can range from a tiny planktonic organism to a young, more recognizable creature is key to cracking these clues.
Consider the context of the puzzle, whether it leans towards general knowledge, biology, or even culinary terms. Sometimes, the 'small' aspect might be relative to larger crustaceans like lobsters or crabs, broadening the pool of potential answers to include species that are small in comparison rather than absolutely minute.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Intersecting Letters: Always use the letters from crossing words as your primary guide. Even if you have a strong guess for "small crustacean," the intersecting letters will confirm or deny it, especially when multiple answers have similar lengths.
- Consider Scientific vs. Common Names: For biological clues like crustaceans, be prepared for both common names (e.g., SHRIMP) and more scientific or specific terms (e.g., COPEPOD). The clue's phrasing often gives a hint as to which type is expected.
- Think About Size Descriptors: "Small" can be relative. While KRILL and COPEPODs are inherently small, a 'small' crab or 'small' lobster might be clued as something like a CRABLET or even just a generic term if the letter count fits. Always consider the exact word length requested.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common small crustacean answer in crosswords?
KRILL and SHRIMP are perhaps the most frequently appearing answers for 'small crustacean' clues due to their common knowledge and manageable letter lengths. However, always be prepared for variations.
Are "prawn" and "shrimp" interchangeable in crosswords?
Often, yes. While there are biological distinctions, in the context of crosswords, PRAWN and SHRIMP can sometimes be clued interchangeably as small crustaceans, depending on the letter count required (PRAWN is 5 letters, SHRIMP is 6).
Can the clue "small crustacean" ever refer to a larval stage?
Yes, occasionally. While less common, a crossword might use a clue that points to a larval form of a larger crustacean, such as a ZOEA or a NAUPLIUS, if the puzzle setter is aiming for a more challenging or specific biological clue and the letter count aligns.