The Giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) is a prominent crustacean within the aquaculture industry, farmed in large numbers that are second only to the Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).
One reason for the Giant tiger prawn’s widespread popularity is their adaptability and ease of farming. This particular shrimp can flourish in a wide range of salinities between 3-35ppt, although their optimal levels are between 15-25ppt and temperatures of between 28-33°C. Giant tiger prawns can be found across the globe, ranging from Southeastern Asia, the Pacific Ocean, Northern Australia and the Arabian Peninsula.
Giant tiger prawns can be distinguished by their dark colouring. Their carapace and abdomen, banded with black and white, contrast the red, light blue or brown hue of their bodies. Giant tiger prawns can exceed sizes of 330mm and 33kg in weight, females typically exceeding males in size.
Giant tiger prawns feed upon small crustaceans, molluscs and polychaete worms. Many wild subspecies of tiger prawns are nocturnal, emerging from the substrate under cover of darkness to search for food or to mate. Larvae will hatch offshore, before entering estuaries and swamps that serve as nursery grounds. Juvenile Giant tiger prawn will move into deeper waters upon maturation.
Commercial farming of Giant tiger prawns began in the late 1980s and has seen a gradual increase with only slight fluctuations in farming numbers throughout the years. In 1990, 289,799 tonnes (t) of Giant tiger prawns were farmed for aquaculture globally, which increased to 630,984t in 2000 and 701,081t in 2016.
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The Aquaculturists
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