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Species Guide

Indian White Shrimp

Metapenaeus Monoceros
  • Spanish Name: Langostino Indio
  • English Name: Indian White Shrimp
  • Scientific Name: Metapenaeus monoceros
  • Type of specie: Crustáceo
  • Order: Decapoda
  • Family: Penaeidae

Habitat

  • Natural: Tropical coastal waters with sandy and muddy bottoms.
  • Farming: Coastal ponds and semi-intensive systems.

General Description

  • Body shape: Elongated, with a semi-transparent shell and a slender body.
  • Distinctive features:

    Light brown or grayish coloration with small dark spots on the shell.

Size and Weight

  • Average length: Typically between 10 and 15 cm, although in its natural habitat, it can reach up to 18 cm.
  • Average weight: Typically between 15 and 40 g; some exceptional specimens can exceed 50 g.

Life Cycle

Reproduces in saltwater but can be farmed in variable salinity environments.

Adaptations

Resistant to environmental variations and suitable for low-cost farming systems.

Juveniles farming systems

Reproduces in saltwater but can be farmed in variable salinity environments.

Grow-out farming systems

Resistant to environmental variations and suitable for low-cost farming systems.

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  • Geographical distribution
Tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Southeast Asia and India.
  • Main producing countries
India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia.
  • Commercial value

Low-cost alternative to Penaeus monodon, with strong demand in Asian and European markets.

  • Additional uses

Subproducts: Shrimp meal used in fish and poultry feed.

Shell: Source of chitin and chitosan for biomedical and industrial applications.

  • Common preparation methods
Fresh, frozen, in soups, grilled, sautéed, and in Asian cuisine.