Tiger Prawns

Introduction

So you want the best prawn? The largest and the tastiest? The good news is that you have just found the right product. Our fresh Tiger prawns, also known as “King of Prawns” are the most widely distributed and commercially marketed prawns in the world. Because of the high demand and low supply, fresh Tiger prawns are being farmed worldwide to minimize the gap in supply and demand. However, at Niwan Seafood, you will only get wild and organic fresh Tiger Prawn caught from the Arabian Sea.

Unlike cold water prawns, whose meat can be watery and sometimes taste bland, Arabian Sea Tiger Prawns have a distinctly bold, sweet, firm-textured meat that has earned them the honor of being called the ‘poor man’s lobster’. Tiger Prawn are usually priced higher than white Prawn but that is primarily because Tiger Prawn grow to larger sizes than White Prawn

Flavor Profile

Tiger Prawn are large and flavorsome. They have moist, firm flesh and a medium flavour.

Nomenclature

• English Name: Tiger Prawn, Giant Tiger Prawn, Tiger Shrimp,
• Local Name: Tiger, Kala Tiger, Kala Jaira, Saana, Patapati
• Scientific Name: Penaeus (Penaeus) monodon

Habitat

They are found on the coastline to about 150 m on sand or muddy bottoms.

Catching Method

They are caught using bottom trawls and Cast nets

Physical Attributes

Tiger Prawn have carapace with grooves and have crests that are distinct. The rostrum has 6–8 dorsal teeth and 3 ventral teeth. The adrostral crest extends to just before the last post rostral tooth. The gastro frontal crest is absent. The hepatic crest is almost horizontal and extending far behind the antennal crest.

Appearance

Tiger Prawns are known for “tiger stripes” on their shells and tails. Shell color can range from brown, black, grey to blue, and even slightly pink.

Size

On average, Tiger prawns are 6 to 10 inches long ( whole ). However other sizes are also occasionally available.