Systematic Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Family: Penaeidae
Genus: Metapenaeopsis
Species: Metapenaeopsis barbata
(De Haan, 1844)
Common name: Fired prawn
 Chinese name: ¨ª¦Ì½¼

 
Characteristic Features

Rostrum horizontal and long, with 6-7 dorsal teeth. Carapace with first post-rostral tooth; orbital, antennal, hepatic and branchiostegal spines present. Dorsal carina present on 2 to 6 abdominal somites. Telson long, with shallow median groove, laterally armed with 3 pairs of movable and single pair of fixed spines. Colour: Body whitish and covered with purple-red or bright red stripes and patches. Antennal flagellum crossed with red and white bands.
Habitat

Found at 20-70 m depth of sandy and muddy bottom.

Size

Maximum length 120 mm, commonly 70-90 mm.

Distribution

Thailand, Malay Archipelago, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

 
Commercial
fishery		 Economically important. Mostly abundant in summer. Price slightly lower than other economic penaeid prawns.