Systematic Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Family: Penaeidae
Genus: Penaeus
Species: Penaeus japonicus
(Bate, 1888)
Common name: Striped prawn
 Chinese name: ªá½¼, ¯Z¸`½¼

 
Characteristic Features

Rostrum horizontal and overreaching distal margin of antennular peduncle, provided with 2-7 dorsal teeth and 1 ventral tooth. Post-rostral carina with 4 teeth. Adrostral groove deep and broad, extending towards posterior margin of carapace. Post-rostral carina wider than adrostral groove; median groove prominent. Dorsal carina present from 4 to 6 abdominal somites. Telson with deep median groove, extending to distal tip, and with 3 pairs of movable lateral spines. Colour: Body pale brown to yellow-brown, crossed with deep brown bands and inclined brown stripes. Thoracic and abdominal appendages yellow. Mid uropods deep-brown, followed with patches of bright yellow and with distal regions blue, outer margins red.
Habitat

Found on sandy and muddy bottom within 90 m depth.
Size

Maximum length 300 mm, commonly 150-200 mm.

Distribution

China - Guangxi, Guangdong; Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malysia, Eastarn Africa, Red Sea, Northern Australia.

Commercial
fishery		 Economically important. Its size larger than other penaeid species, and thus it can be sold at a higher price in local markets.