Shrimp Farming: Essential Terms and Definitions for Beginners

Riley Sinclair (Digital Aqua Bear) 7 min read

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Shrimp - A small, swimming crustacean with a slender body and long antennae.

Caridea - A suborder of shrimps that includes most of the commonly consumed species.

Prawn - A term often used interchangeably with shrimp, although it typically refers to larger species.

Pandalidae - A family of shrimps known for their association with jellyfish.

Mysis - A genus of freshwater shrimps found in northern hemisphere lakes.

Lobster - A type of crustacean closely related to shrimps, but typically larger and with a harder exoskeleton.

Decapoda - A order of crustaceans that includes shrimps, lobsters, and crayfish.

Plankton - Small organisms that float in the water column and are an important food source for many species of shrimps.

Aquaculture - The farming of aquatic animals, including shrimps, for human consumption.

Molt - The process by which shrimps shed their exoskeleton in order to grow.

Larva - The early developmental stage of a shrimp, characterized by a small, swimming form.

Metamorphosis - The process of transformation from a larval stage to an adult form in shrimps and other crustaceans.

Spawning - The process of laying eggs by female shrimps.

Thorax - The middle section of a shrimp's body, between the head and the abdomen.

Abdomen - The posterior section of a shrimp's body, containing the reproductive and digestive organs.

Antenna - A pair of long, sensory appendages on the head of a shrimp.

Carapace - The hard, protective exoskeleton covering the thorax of a shrimp.

Exoskeleton - The external skeleton of a shrimp, providing structural support and protection.

Gill - A respiratory organ used by shrimps to extract oxygen from the water.

Chloroquine - A drug used to treat and prevent malaria, but also known to have a toxic effect on certain species of shrimps.

Endangered species - A species at risk of extinction due to human activities or environmental factors.

Ecotourism - Tourism activities centered around observing and interacting with wildlife, including shrimps.

Overfishing - The removal of fish and other marine species from the ocean at a rate faster than they can replenish.

Biodiversity - The variety of different species and ecosystems in a given area.

Ecosystem - A community of living and nonliving things interacting with each other in a specific environment.

Habitat - The natural environment in which a species of shrimp lives and thrives.

Estuary - A semi-enclosed coastal body of water where fresh and salt water mix, providing a rich habitat for shrimps and other species.

Mangrove - A type of tropical forest that grows in saltwater, providing important habitat for shrimps and other species.

Tidal flat - A flat, mudflat area exposed at low tide, often providing important feeding and breeding grounds for shrimps.

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Litopenaeus vannamei (Whiteleg shrimp) - a species of shrimp native to the Pacific coast of Central America, commonly farmed for commercial purposes.

Penaeus monodon (Giant tiger shrimp) - a species of shrimp native to the Indo-Pacific region, known for its large size and intense flavor.

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (Pink shrimp) - a species of shrimp native to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of the United States, popular for its sweet, delicate flavor.

Pandalus borealis (Northern shrimp) - a species of shrimp found in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, known for its mild flavor and versatility in cooking.

Metapenaeus ensis (Slipper lobster shrimp) - a species of shrimp found in the Indo-West Pacific region, known for its sweet and delicate flavor and often used in Asian cuisine.

Parapenaeus longirostris (Long rostrum shrimp) - a species of shrimp found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, known for its delicate flavor and often used in Mediterranean cuisine.

Palaemon serratus (Common prawn) - a species of shrimp found in the North Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, known for its sweet and slightly crunchy texture.

Procambarus clarkii (Red swamp crayfish) - a species of shrimp native to the Southern United States, known for its sweet, nutty flavor and often used in Cajun cuisine.

Marsupenaeus japonicus (Japanese tiger shrimp) - a species of shrimp native to the waters off Japan and Korea, known for its sweet and succulent flavor and often used in Asian cuisine.

Acetes americanus (Peanut shrimp) - a species of shrimp native to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of the United States, known for its sweet, nutty flavor and often used in seafood chowders.

Caridina cantonensis (Crystal red shrimp) - a species of shrimp native to the streams of southern China, known for its striking red and white coloration and often used in freshwater aquariums.

Crangon crangon (Common shrimp) - a species of shrimp found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, known for its mild flavor and often used in seafood stews and chowders.

Neocaridina heteropoda (Red cherry shrimp) - a species of shrimp native to the streams of Taiwan, known for its bright red coloration and often used in freshwater aquariums.

Alpheus heterochaelis (Harmless pistol shrimp) - a species of shrimp native to the Atlantic and Caribbean, known for its ability to produce a loud snapping sound and often used in aquariums.

Melicertus kerathurus (Yellow-clawed shrimp) - a species of shrimp found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, known for its sweet and delicate flavor and often used in Mediterranean cuisine.

Leander tenuicornis (Thin-horn shrimp) - a species of shrimp found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, known for its sweet and delicate flavor and often used in Mediterranean cuisine.

Leptochela maculata (Spotted shrimp) - a species of shrimp found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, known for its sweet and delicate flavor and often used in Mediterranean cuisine.

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1 Penaeus monodon (Black Tiger Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is native to the Indo-Pacific region and is widely farmed for human consumption.

Litopenaeus vannamei (Whiteleg Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is native to the Pacific coast of South America and is the most widely farmed shrimp species in the world.

Pandalus borealis (Northern Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found in the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular food source in the Northern Hemisphere.

Metapenaeus ensis (Scampi) - A species of shrimp that is found in the Indo-Pacific region and is commonly used in seafood dishes.

Farfantepenaeus aztecus (Brown Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States and is a popular food source in the region.

Caridina cantonensis (Ghost Shrimp) - A species of freshwater shrimp that is popular in the aquarium trade.

Pleocyemata homari (Lobster Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States and is used as a food source for lobsters.

Solenocera crassicornis (Razor Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found in the Indo-Pacific region and is used for food and medicinal purposes.

Aristeus antennatus (European Red Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found in the Atlantic Ocean and is used for human consumption and for bait in commercial fishing.

Neocaridina davidi (Red Cherry Shrimp) - A species of freshwater shrimp that is popular in the aquarium trade and is prized for its vibrant red color.

Palaemon elegans (Pea Shrimp) - A species of freshwater shrimp that is commonly used as a food source for aquarium fish.

Alpheus heterochaelis (Gobieshrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found in the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States and is known for its symbiotic relationship with gobies.

Acetes americanus (Northern Bay Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found in the Atlantic Ocean and is used for human consumption and as bait for commercial fishing.

Hippolyte varians (Peppermint Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found in the Indo-Pacific region and is used for food and as a natural source of red pigment.

Melicertus kerathurus (West African Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found in West Africa and is used for human consumption and for bait in commercial fishing.

Parapenaeus longirostris (Deep-Water Shrimp) - A species of shrimp that is found in the Atlantic Ocean and is used for human consumption and for bait in commercial fishing.

Melitaea cinxia (Marsh Fritillary Butterfly) - A species of butterfly that is found in marshes and wetlands in Europe and Asia.

Exopalaemon modestus (Freshwater Shrimp) - A species of freshwater shrimp that is commonly used as a food source for aquarium fish.

Astacus leptodactylus (Freshwater Crayfish) - A species of freshwater crayfish that is native to Europe and is used for human consumption and as a pet.