What is the Largest Shrimp in the World?

Shrimp come in all shapes and sizes from tiny salad shrimp to king prawns longer than your hand. But what is the absolute largest shrimp species found on our planet? Let’s dive into the world of jumbo shrimp and find out!

Defining Shrimp

First, we need to define what exactly makes a shrimp a shrimp. Shrimp and prawns actually refer to different groups of crustaceans, but the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Here are the key differences

• Shrimp have shorter legs and smaller claws compared to prawns Prawns have three pairs of claws while shrimp have two

• Shrimp belong to the suborder Pleocyemata while prawns belong to Dendrobranchiata.

• Shrimp tend to be smaller, while prawns are generally larger.

• Shrimp live mostly in saltwater oceans while prawns live primarily in freshwater.

However, there is a lot of overlap between shrimp and prawns. For this article, we’ll look at the largest species from both groups to cover all the giant “shrimp” out there.

The Contenders for Largest Shrimp

After scouring the oceans and rivers of the world, here are the top contenders for largest shrimp:

1. Giant Tiger Prawn

The giant tiger prawn takes the top spot as the largest shrimp in the world. It lives in the warm waters of Southeast Asia, Australia, and some parts of the United States. These monster shrimp can grow up to a staggering 33 centimeters (13 inches) long and weigh around 10 ounces.

Identifying features include black and orange striped banding on the tail and body that resembles a tiger, giving them their name. They are highly prized for food due to their large size.

2. Giant Freshwater Prawn

As the name suggests, giant freshwater prawns live in the rivers and lakes of tropical regions in Asia, Australia, Africa, and North America. They can reach sizes up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) long. Their bodies are grayish green in color.

These monster prawns start their life in brackish water before migrating to freshwater as juveniles. They have been introduced in many countries outside their native range for aquaculture.

3. Eastern King Prawn

The eastern king prawn inhabits the coastal waters of eastern Australia. They live at depths up to 220 meters and are commercially fished. Eastern king prawns commonly reach 30 centimeters (12 inches) long.

They have a striking appearance with bright color bands on their legs and tail. Due to their large size and delicious taste, eastern king prawns are highly prized as seafood.

4. Kuruma Prawn

Also known as the Japanese tiger prawn, these shrimp live in the Indo-Pacific region. Kuruma prawns grow to lengths between 25-30 centimeters (10-12 inches). They have a beige body with brownish banding.

The Kuruma prawn invades new territories easily, even taking over areas populated by other shrimp species. They are farmed extensively due to their rapid growth rate and undemanding habitat requirements.

5. Whiteleg Shrimp

Native to the eastern Pacific Ocean, whiteleg shrimp live from the west coast of the Americas to Ecuador. They are commercially fished and farmed. Whiteleg shrimp can reach 23-28 centimeters (9-11 inches) long.

They have a blueish-white body with pink stripes and prefer warm water temperatures above 68°F. Whiteleg shrimp are omnivores that eat algae, small insects, worms, and plankton.

Traits of Large Shrimp Species

After looking at the top five largest shrimp, we can identify some common traits and requirements that allow them to reach such huge sizes:

• They live in warm tropical or subtropical waters that enable faster growth. Colder temperatures stunt growth.

• They populate coastal regions and relatively shallow waters that are nutrient rich.

• The majority are prawns native to freshwater and brackish estuaries instead of ocean shrimp.

• Most are omnivores that can consume a wide variety of food, providing plenty of nutrients for growth.

• They live for 2-6 years, with some species living even longer. Their long lifespans allow them to keep growing.

• Most large species reproduce by laying hundreds of thousands of eggs, ensuring the survival of some larvae to adulthood.

• Many of the giant shrimp are commercially farmed or fished due to their size and economic value.

Why Some Shrimp Grow So Big

Many shrimp species max out at a few inches long. So why do some shrimp grow to the size of small lobsters? Here are some of the main evolutionary advantages giant shrimp possess:

• Their large size makes them less vulnerable to predators like fish, birds, and octopuses.

• Females can produce substantially more eggs. A 10 inch shrimp can lay over a million eggs, compared to just a few thousand from a 2 inch shrimp.

• Larger shrimp are able to consume bigger prey and plant matter. Their varied diet provides more calories to sustain their growth.

• Males use their oversized claws to compete for and attract mates. Winners pass on their genes for growth.

• Bottom-dwelling jumbo shrimp can survey larger areas for food and navigate faster with their long legs.

Are Bigger Shrimp Always Better?

For shrimp aficionados, finding colossal specimens over 10 inches long can seem like the holy grail. But when it comes to eating, bigger isn’t necessarily better. Here are some pros and cons of large shrimp:

Pros:

• More meat per shrimp means more food per bite.
• Impressive presentations for raw dishes like sushi.
• Shells can be stuffed with delicious fillings.
• Fun novelty of eating shrimp as big as lobsters!

Cons:

• Texture can be tougher and chewier on large shrimp.
• Flavor is often milder. Smaller shrimp tend to be sweeter.
• Big shrimp cost more per pound.
• Some people find overly large shrimp unappealing.

The jumbo shrimp species also tend to have lower populations due to overfishing driven by their high value. For sustainability, it may be better to eat reasonably sized shrimp in the 5-8 inch range.

The Takeaway on Big Shrimp

When it comes to shrimp size, the giant tiger prawn takes top honors as the undisputed largest at a whopping 13 inches long. Several other jumbo prawns and shrimp species also break the foot-long barrier, inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. While mega shrimp appeal to our fascination with extremes in nature, moderation is key for sustainable and ethical seafood.