Flower Shrimp (Penaeus Semisulcatus)

Also known as the green tiger prawn the flower shrimp is a very important species of prawn. It has a light brown body that has a greenish tint and has yellow tansvers bands across the back of the carapace; its abdomen is banded with brownish grey and yellow transverse bands. And the antennae are banded yellow and brown.

The maximum length the flower shrimp can achieve is up to 180 mm for males and 228 mm for females. Its weight can reach an average of around 130 kgs. Flower shrimps usually have more of an Indopacific distribution inhabiting areas like eastern Africa and the Red Sea east to Indonesia and northern Australia. As a migrant, it has even made a way into areas like the Mediterranean region and the Suez Canal.

In India, the species is not considered a very important one. Though in Madagascar, Red Sea and Africa it may be of moderately important. Also in India, the species is avidly used for the nurturing of other species of prawns in the Ganges delta. Aquaculture of this particular species is also being conducted in regions of Taiwan and Thailand. Flower shrimps caught in Pakistan are sued to make shrimp meat and paste.