The Decapodians are a fictional race of humanoid, lobster-like aliens who speak with a Yiddish accent from the animated television show Futurama. The Decapodians are natives of the planet Decapod 10, and made contact with Earth in the 2200s. Shortly afterwards, the Decapodians found the Earth anchovy so delicious, they promptly ate it into extinction.

Although there have been several minor repeating Decapodian characters, the only main Decapodian characer is Doctor Zoidberg, the Planet Express doctor, who is good natured, but has a poor understanding of human anatomy.

Although little is known of Decapodian biology, it is known that the Decapodians have many redundant internal organs and are able survive both on dry land and deep underwater. They have a love for seafood, and retain many features from their (presumably) aquatic origin, including an ink sack and a gas bladder. Decapodians are cold blooded.

Reproduction and life cycle

Reproduction is seasonal. When males produce an excess of "male jelly" they become aggressive and violent. A hitherto hidden fin on their heads unfolds. The male engages in courtship displays on the beach to attract females. Love is unknown; the female chooses a male mate based on the strength of his displays. The actual reproductive act is a large, public, group affair that is known as the "mating frenzy." After pairing, couples enter the water where the male releases his jelly into the cloacal vents of the female. Decapodians die almost immediately after reproducing (as shown in the "Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love" episode). Despite its fatal nature, the reproductive act is viewed by Decapodians as "the greatest experience in life."

After fertilization, Decapodians have a complex life cycle, going through more than a half dozen distinct forms (possibly ontogeny recapitulating phylogeny) before maturing into a bipedal humanoid form:

1. A coral-like mass from which multiple Decapodians bud off
2. A starfish-like form
3. A Hydra-like form
4. A spiny sea urchin-like form
5. A deep sea anglerfish-like form
6. A lamprey-like form
7. A large clam-like form
8. A trilobite-like form
9. A cuttlefish-like form
10. A hard-shelled bipedal humanoid form

(as shown in the "Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles" episode)

In 3004, The Decapodians invaded Earth and enslaved humanity for a brief period of time, in order to teach the people of Earth what it meant to be free after Dr. Zoidberg was arrested and sentenced to death for eating Earth's flag. They were defeated when their mobile oppression palace was destroyed by Dr. Zoidberg.