Shrimp come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny pink specks to massive tiger prawns over a foot long. But what is the absolute largest shrimp species found on our planet? As shrimp lovers and seafood fans, this was a question we just had to get to the bottom of.
After diving deep into shrimp research here’s what we uncovered about the biggest bottomed crustaceans in the seven seas. Read on to learn about 4 record-breaking giant shrimp species and where these monsters of the deep can be found.
1. Giant Tiger Prawn – Up to 33 cm Long
The giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) takes the top spot as largest shrimp species on record Native to the Indo-Pacific region, these shrimp beasts can reach sizes over 33 cm (13 inches) long and weigh over 320 grams (over half a pound!)
With black tiger-like stripes on their shells and formidable front claws, giant tiger prawns live up to their name. The average giant tiger prawn measures around 21 cm (8 inches), still dwarfing most other shrimp species.
Females grow much larger than males and can live longer up to 3 years. These giant shrimp thrive in warm tropical waters from Japan to Australia and feed on small fish crabs and shrimp. They are bottom-dwellers, living on muddy or sandy ocean floors up to 90 meters deep.
While not the most commonly farmed shrimp, their large size and rapid growth has made giant tiger prawns a popular aquaculture species, especially in Thailand.
2. Giant Freshwater Prawn – Up to 32 cm Long
Not all giant shrimp live in the ocean. The giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) is one of the largest freshwater shrimp at up to 32 cm (12.5 inches) long. Known also as giant river prawn, these monsters live in rivers, lakes and ponds across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
The males are larger than females, reaching up to 32 cm long excluding their long front legs. They have blue to orange-colored claws and a greenish-brown body. Their life cycle is fascinating – the eggs hatch in freshwater but the larvae drift downstream to brackish estuaries. As juveniles they migrate back upstream.
These huge shrimp are native to Malaysia and Indonesia but have been introduced widely across the tropics and subtropics for aquaculture. They are commercially farmed in many countries today.
3. California Spot Prawn – Up to 30 cm Long
The California spot prawn (Pandalus platyceros) is the largest shrimp species in the cold waters of the North Pacific off the coasts of British Columbia, Alaska and California. They grow up to 30 cm (12 inches) long and live up to 6 years.
These big shrimp have a reddish shell with distinctive white spots and stripes. They live in rocky habitats up to 230 meters deep but migrate into shallow waters at night to feed.
The California spot prawn is a sequential hermaphrodite, starting life as a male for the first 4-5 years before changing sex to female for the rest of its lifespan. Females can mate twice in their lifetime. This prawn is sustainably wild-caught but stocks have declined in recent decades.
4. Eastern King Prawn – Up to 30 cm Long
The Eastern king prawn (Melicertus plebejus), also called the school prawn, is found off the east coast of Australia. It grows up to 30 cm (12 inches) long and lives 1-2 years. This species has a transparent body and blue tail with red highlights.
Female Eastern king prawns have a unique breeding strategy, releasing their eggs directly into the ocean unlike most shrimp species. The eggs drift out to sea where they hatch, and the larvae migrate back to sheltered estuaries to grow. Once sexually mature, the juveniles migrate offshore again to join the breeding adults.
The Eastern king prawn is commercially fished but strict management regulations are in place to prevent overfishing. It is one of the most popular and largest shrimp species found in Australia.
Summary of the World’s Largest Shrimp Species
- Giant tiger prawn – Up to 33 cm, found in Indo-Pacific oceans
- Giant freshwater prawn – Up to 32 cm, found in Asia/Oceania rivers and lakes
- California spot prawn – Up to 30 cm, found in North Pacific ocean
- Eastern king prawn – Up to 30 cm, found off Australia’s east coast
While these shrimp behemoths can seem monstrous, they are still small creatures compared to some giants of the ocean. But for their kind, these plus-sized shrimp species stand out for pushing the limits of crustacean growth.
The next time you eat a shrimp cocktail or scampi, imagine one of these shrimp leviathans piled onto your plate! While smaller shrimp tend to have better flavor and texture, encountering one of these jumbo shrimp would certainly be a memorable (if not very appetizing) experience.
