A giant isopod is any of the almost 20 species of large isopods (crustaceans distantly related to shrimp and crabs, which are decapods) in the genus Bathynomus. They are abundant in the cold, deep waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. The giant isopods are noted for their resemblance to the much smaller common woodlouse (pill bug), to which they are related. Giant isopods are of little interest to most commercial fisheries, but are infamous for attacking and destroying fish caught in trawls, and they are eaten in Taiwan. Giant isopods are a good example of deep-sea gigantism.
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