# Why do shrimp turn pink? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 9, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-shrimp-turn-pink/254373 "2004-07-09T23:05:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-shrimp-turn-pink/254373/1 "2004-07-09T23:05:43Z")
So I was cooking dinner tonight, and the instant I droppend the shrimp in the pan they started to turn pink. What is the reaction that causes this? Is it related to what causes lobsters to turn red when cooked? In that case it is the shell, but with shrimp we are talking about the flesh. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-shrimp-turn-pink/254373/2 "2004-07-09T23:42:22Z")
From [here](http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/icooks/07-07-03.html) > [@](#): > > In lobsters, crab, and shrimp, however, a pigment called “astaxanthin” lies hidden, camouflaged by a protein covering. Astaxanthin is a member of the carotene family of pigments, which are responsible for coloring many of the yellow and orange (or “carotene”) fruits and vegetables. > > Because these protein chains are not heat-stable, their protein wrapping uncoils as soon as crustaceans are put in boiling water. Voila! Red-orange astaxanthin molecules are released. Because pigments related to the carotenes are stable, the astaxanthins now display their unique deep hues that are so appealing. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-shrimp-turn-pink/254373/3 "2004-07-10T01:05:53Z")
OK, that provides the answer, but why? I mean, why do shellfish have a pigment that is completely hidden? What purpose does it serve? ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-shrimp-turn-pink/254373/4 "2004-07-10T01:26:16Z")
Shrimp eat algae. Algae contains astaxanthin. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-shrimp-turn-pink/254373/5 "2004-07-10T04:04:34Z")
**x-ray** , you’re smart. Do lobsters eat algae too though? I thought they just ate dead animals. Like crabs. That also turn red. But are not so smart. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-shrimp-turn-pink/254373/6 "2004-07-10T04:40:01Z")
Why, they’re just plumb tickled to feed you! ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-shrimp-turn-pink/254373/7 "2004-07-10T11:19:41Z")
Really, it’s embarassment. There they are naked on your plate. Wouldn’t you be embarassed?