Crustacean
Caramote shrimp
Penaeus kerathurus
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
12 cm
Minimum size
Description
This is a large shrimp with a robust carapace. Its rostrum is well-developed and horizontal, typically bearing 8 to 11 teeth along the upper edge and a single tooth along the lower edge. It is easily recognizable by its beige or yellowish-white coloration, marked with very distinct brown or reddish transverse bands on the abdomen, giving it a striped appearance. The tip of its caudal fin (telson) often displays very vivid iridescent blue and red hues. It is an imposing species. Females can reach 22 cm, while males are slightly smaller (about 18 cm).
Habitat
This is a benthic species that lives primarily on the continental shelf. It prefers muddy sandy bottoms and areas rich in organic detritus, often near seagrass beds. It is primarily nocturnal. During the day, it remains buried in the sediment to avoid predators, and it emerges at night to hunt small invertebrates. It is generally found between 5 and 50 meters deep, although it can descend to depths of up to 90 meters. Like many Peneidae, juveniles spend their early growth phase in coastal lagoons and estuaries.
Distribution
It is found in the eastern Atlantic and throughout the Mediterranean. Its range extends from the southern British Isles and the Bay of Biscay to Angola, including the Canary Islands and the Azores.