Prawns

Prawns

Prawns are marine crustaceans resembling small lobsters, belonging to the suborder Dendrobranchiata. They are widely consumed as seafood across the world and are known for their sweet and delicate flavor.

A common prawn

Taxonomy and Classification

Prawns belong to the order Decapoda and are classified into the suborder Dendrobranchiata. They are closely related to shrimp, but there are some structural differences between them, especially in the gill and abdominal segments.

Species

There are numerous species of prawns, including:

• Penaeus monodon – Giant tiger prawn
• Litopenaeus vannamei – Whiteleg shrimp or Pacific white shrimp
• Macrobrachium rosenbergii – Giant freshwater prawn

Physical Characteristics

Prawns are typically characterized by:

• A slender, elongated body
• Long antennas
• A segmented tail that aids in swimming
• Hard exoskeleton which they periodically molt as they grow

Habitat and Distribution

File:Prawn dishes

Prawns inhabit various aquatic environments ranging from freshwater lakes and streams to deep-sea habitats. They are found worldwide, primarily in warm coastal waters.

Diet

Prawns are omnivores. Their diet mainly consists of:

• Small aquatic plants
• Algae
• Plankton
• Small fish and other sea creatures

Commercial Significance

Prawns have significant commercial value and are farmed in numerous countries. They are a major source of protein and have a high demand in seafood markets worldwide.

Farming

Prawn farming or shrimp farming is a rapidly growing aquaculture business. It involves raising prawns in enclosures such as ponds, tanks, or controlled aquatic environments.

Culinary Uses

Prawns are a delicacy in many cuisines and are used in a multitude of dishes, including:

• Prawn curry
• Prawn cocktail
• Grilled prawns
• Tempura prawns

Nutritional Value

Prawns are a rich source of:

• Protein
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Vitamins like B12
• Minerals like zinc and iodine

Conservation

Overfishing and the environmental impact of prawn farming have raised concerns. Efforts are being made to adopt sustainable fishing practices and environmentally-friendly aquaculture methods.

Keto prawn recipes

• 5 minute sherried shrimp tapas
• 5-minute low-fat garlic prawns
• Absolutely delicious gourmet prawns
• Adobo marinade
• Australian bbq prawns with lemon myrtle aioli
• Avocado and prawns in wasabi
• Barbecue ginger prawns shrimp
• Barbecue prawn
• Barbecue prawns with lemongrass
• Barbecue sesame prawns shrimp
• Barbecued prawns shrimp with mustard dipping sauce
• Barbecued prawns with chilli, lime and cilantro butter
• Bbq prawns mit spice
• Broiled lemon and garlic tiger prawns
• Cheats garlic butter shrimp prawns and mushroom risotto
• Chicken oscar with a hollandaise sauce
• Chicken/fish/ prawn chaat
• Cool as a cucumber! Cheese, cucumber and chive sandwich spread
• Dalmatian fried prawns
• Duck egg tapas
• Easy shrimp pate
• Egyptian spiced prawns
• Elegant japanese soup
• Five-spice marinade
• Flaming garlic and whisky gambas! King prawns - giant shrimp
• Fresh salmon and lime cakes
• Garlic and white wine prawns
• Garlic prawns
• Garlic prawns
• Garlic prawns
• Garlic prawns in the microwave
• Ginger and scallion sauce
• Grilled hearts of romaine w/buttermilk-bleu cheese dressing
• Grilled king prawns with lemon, garlic and chilli
• Grilled prawns italiano
• Grilled prawns with cilantro and ginger sauce
• Grilled prawns with raw sauce
• Hello vodka prawns
• Hibiscus and sumac prawns from hibiscus
• Hoisin prawn mini pizzas
• Hot prawns
• Iconic aussie bbq prawns shrimp
• Jalapeno tiger prawn ginger skewers
• Jumbo prawns shrimp with mushrooms and onions
• Kaylenes prawn skewers
• L m prawns
• Lemon basil shrimp
• Lemon chicken
• Maitre d'hotel butter
• Masala prawns shrimp
• Mexican prawn shrimp kebabs
• Mixed tempura
• Oaxacan grilled shrimp
• Papeete tahitian prawns
• Perfect prawns
• Perfectly simple seafood dipping sauce
• Pinchos spanish kebabs/tapas - pork, lamb, prawns or chicken
• Poppy seed and yoghurt dipping sauce for shrimp
• Prawn and asparagus rolls
• Prawn and bacon brochettes
• Prawn and chive omelette
• Prawn and lime mayonnaise open sandwich
• Prawn and scallop kebabs with wasabi dipping sauce
• Prawn cocktail sauce
• Prawn shrimp and lime tartlets
• Prawn shrimp cocktail
• Prawn shrimp cocktail
• Prawn shrimp pakoras
• Prawn/shrimp appetizers
• Prawns / shrimp in garlic sauce
• Prawns amaretto
• Prawns and cream cheese
• Prawns peri-peri
• Prawns shrimp on the barbie aussie style
• Elegant japanese soup
• Quickie tom yum soup
• Real gambas pil pil
• Retro firecracker prawn cocktail shots! Shrimp cocktail shots
• Salt and pepper gambas spanish-style shrimp
• Sate babi or ayam
• Scrambled eggs
• Seared prawns with lime with mint and cilantro chutney
• Shrimp and chicken rice paper rolls
• Shrimp scampi
• Sizzling spanish garlic prawns - tapas style
• Spicy grilled chicken strips
• Spicy skewered chicken
• Spring roll wrapper cups
• Stir fried prawns
• Succulent prawns for the barbie
• Succulent shrimp/prawn spread no bake
• Surf and turf barbecue skewers
• Sweet gingered prawn rolls
• Szechuan fish
• Tahitian coconut vanilla prawns
• Tempura batter - gluten free
• Tequila lime prawns
• Thai red curry crab cakes with a chili dipping sauce
• Tiger prawns in garlic butter
• Tikka marinade
• Tuna mousse with crackers
• Tunisian grilled prawns
• Vegetarian ricepaper rolls
• Yummy roasted prawns
• Zanzibari prawn

See Also

• Shrimp
• Crustaceans
• Aquaculture
• Seafood

References

• Tidwell, J.H. & D’Abramo, L.R. (2008). Prawn Culture in the United States. Aquaculture Research Journal.
• Seafood Watch – Recommendations for sustainable seafood consumption.