White Leg, Black Tiger, and Giant Freshwater Prawns: An Ultimate Guide

vannamei shrimp, black tigher shrimp and freshwater shrimp

Here’s how F Seafood guides you in distinguishing between three types of shrimp: white leg shrimp, black tiger shrimp and giant freshwater shrimp.

White Leg Shrimp:

  • Scientific name: Penaeus vannamei.
  • Appearance: White-leg shrimp has a small, slender, and elongated body. Its color is typically light, ranging from white to slightly translucent.
  • Habitat: It is primarily farmed in saline or brackish waters but can adapt to different environments.
  • Quality: White leg shrimp tends to have a mild sweetness, and soft meat, and is easy to cook. It is widely farmed in the aquaculture industry.
  • Usage: It is commonly used in everyday dishes, easy to prepare, and typically more affordable than black tiger shrimp.
    vannamei shrimp(Penaeus vannamei)
    Vannamei shrimp(While-leg shrimp)

    Black Tiger Shrimp :

    • Scientific name: Penaeus monodon.
    • Appearance: Black tiger shrimp has a larger, thicker body compared to white leg shrimp, and its size is significantly bigger. Notably, it has large, strong claws, making it easy to identify.
    • Habitat: It primarily inhabits saline waters, found in the wild and farmed in coastal saline regions.
    • Quality: Black tiger shrimp has a rich, sweet flavor, with thick, firm meat and a distinctive taste. It is favored for high-end dishes.
    • Usage: Commonly used in gourmet dishes, such as steamed shrimp, grilled shrimp, or in hot pots.
      Black Tiger Shrimp HOSO(Penaeus monodon)
      Black Tiger Shrimp

      Giant Freshwater Prawn :

      • Scientific name: Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
      • Appearance: Giant freshwater prawn has a long, strong body, and is especially recognized for its large, dark green claws. Its color is mostly blue or green.
      • Habitat: This species is typically found in freshwater environments, particularly in areas with a pH ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline.
      • Quality: The meat of giant freshwater prawn is very firm and sweet, especially in the head and body. It has a distinctive aroma when cooked.
      • Usage: Commonly used in dishes like stir-fried prawns, grilled prawns, or hot pot, and is especially suitable for flavorful, rich dishes.

            

      Freshwater prawn
      Freshwater shrimp

      Summary:

      • White leg shrimp: Small, soft meat, easy to cook.
      • Black tiger shrimp: Large body, firm, sweet meat, ideal for high-end dishes.
      • Giant freshwater prawn: Long body with large claws, sweet and firm meat, perfect for stir-fries or hot pots.

      We hope that the basic knowledge shared above will help you easily and quickly distinguish between the different types of shrimp!

    F Seafood's kinds of shrimp for export
    F Seafood’s shrimp product for export

    F Seafood is proud to be a seafood supplier of high-quality black tiger shrimp, white leg shrimp, and more, exported directly from Vietnam. With a certified inspection team, we are committed to maintaining top-notch quality and meeting international standards.

    Our frozen seafood products are exported to many international markets and have maintained strong credibility with importers for over ten years.

    As both a seafood exporter and a trusted supplier, we are committed to building long-lasting credibility and creating sustainable value for our import partners.

    Don’t hesitate to contact us now for more information!