Systematic Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Family: Solenocerinae
Genus: Solenocera
Species: Solenocera crassicornis
(H. Milne-Edwards, 1837)
Common name: Big head prawn
 Chinese name: ¬õ½¼, ¤jÀY½¼

 
Characteristic Features

Antennular flagella length 1-1.2 time of the carapace. Rostrum horizontal and short, reaching distal margin of first antennular segment and provided with 4-7 dorsal teeth; ventral border convex. Post-rostral carina weak but apparent, with 4 post-rostral teeth. Carapace with orbital, post-orbital, antennal and hepatic spines but without pterygostomian spine. Hepatic and branchio-cardiac groove prominent. Marked dorsal carina present from 3 to 6 abdominal somites. Telson with median groove but without lateral spines.

 
Habitat

Found at about 40 m depth of muddy bottom.

 
Size

Maximum length 140 mm, commonly 60-80 mm.

 
Distribution

Hong Kong, China - Guangxi, Guangdong; Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, India.

 
Commercial
fishery		 Moderately important. Due to its small size, this species is largely sold as dried shrimp.