colour change of shrimp

Question
Dear Scott,

I got the following question when I was eating shrimps.

Some shrimps are of blue or dark colour when they are alive. However, the colour of their body turns red when they are cooked. Are there any explanations for this phenomenon? I guess it is related to some changes happened during coooking (e.g. protein being denatured). But I could not figure it out. Do you know the reason?

Thanks!

Regards,
Raymond

Answer
Raymond,
I'm not entirely sure why that happens, but I would venture to guess it has something with the oxygen in their blood and tissues.

I'd try contacting one of the other experts that deals with cooking.

Thanks for your time and best of luck finding the answer!

Regards,
Scott Johnson
Aquarium Crazy Fish
www.aquariumcrazyfish.com