Crustacean
Kuruma prawn
Penaeus japonicus
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
12,9 cm
Minimum size
Description
This is a large shrimp with a robust build. Its rostrum curves upward at the tip and typically has 8 to 10 teeth along the upper edge and 1 to 2 teeth along the lower edge. It is very easy to identify thanks to its striking tiger-striped pattern. The body is beige or cream-colored, marked with broad, chocolate-brown or reddish transverse bands. The tip of its tail (telson and uropods) features bright blue and yellow colors with a red border, making it particularly striking. Females are larger and can reach 25 to 27 cm, while males generally measure between 17 and 19 cm.
Habitat
This is a benthic species that inhabits the continental shelf. It prefers sandy or silty-sandy bottoms. It is primarily nocturnal and spends the day buried in the sediment for protection. It is a euryhaline species, meaning it tolerates variations in salinity well, allowing juveniles to develop in lagoons and estuaries. It is found primarily at depths between 0 and 90 meters.
Distribution
It is one of the first species to have migrated from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. It is now very common in the eastern basin (Egypt, Israel, Turkey) and is spreading westward (Greece, Italy, and occasionally reported in France). Due to its high commercial value, it has been introduced for aquaculture in many countries, notably in France (Atlantic and Mediterranean), where wild populations have sometimes persisted.