Crustaceans are an economically important group in global aquaculture and fisheries. Whether they possess the capacity for pain perception has been a longstanding controversy and a focal issue in neuroscience and animal welfare research. The traditional view holds that crustaceans only exhibit nociceptive reflexes and cannot perceive pain. However, accumulating evidence indicates that their responses to harmful stimuli are far more complex than previously assumed. This review summarizes recent advances in crustacean pain perception research, beginning with the conceptual distinction between nociception and pain, and systematically analyzes evidence from behavioral, physiological, and neurobiological perspectives. Current research shows that crustaceans display complex behavioral patterns including protective motor responses, motivational trade-offs, and rapid avoidance learning. Harmful stimuli can trigger sustained stress responses, and local anesthetics and sedatives show potential in suppressing pain-related behaviors. Neurobiological studies have confirmed the existence of various nociceptors and the capacity for information integration in the central nervous system. However, these findings remain limited in their systematic nature and are subject to methodological debates. This review provides a theoretical reference for understanding crustacean pain perception and aims to promote animal welfare assessment and sustainable development of aquaculture.