Marsupenaeus
Monotypic genus of large, economically important prawn.
Marsupenaeus is a genus of prawn that contains just one species: *Marsupenaeus japonicus*. This animal goes by several common names, including kuruma shrimp, kuruma prawn, and Japanese tiger prawn. It ranks among the largest prawn species and, as a result, is one of the most economically significant members of its family.
Females can grow to 27 cm in length and weigh up to 130 g, while males reach about 17 cm. The body is pale with brown bands across the back, and the walking and swimming legs are pale yellow near the base and blue at the tips. The rostrum has eight to ten spines on top and one or two underneath.
This prawn naturally inhabits bays and inland seas of the Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea east to Fiji and Japan. It is nocturnal, spending the day buried in the substrate. Its predators include bony and cartilaginous fishes. Spawning begins when sea temperatures exceed 20 °C. During mating, the male transfers a spermatophore to the female, which she stores in a seminal receptacle. She then moves to deeper water and releases about 700,000 eggs. The eggs hatch into nauplii, which pass through five nauplius stages, three zoeae, and three mysis stages before reaching the postlarval stage.
The species entered the Mediterranean as a Lessepsian migrant via the Suez Canal. It was first recorded in Egypt in 1924 and has since spread through the Levant and along Turkey’s coast. Additional populations have become established after intentional releases at sites in France, Italy, and Greece.
Originally described in 1888 as *Penaeus canaliculatus* var. *japonicus* by Charles Spence Bate, it was later placed in a new subgenus of *Penaeus* by N. M. Tirmizi in 1971. Isabel Pérez Farfante and Brian Kensley raised it to genus rank in 1997, making *Marsupenaeus* monotypic. In 2023, Chan reclassified it as one of eleven subgenera of *Penaeus* sensu lato.
In its introduced range, the kuruma prawn is fished by trawling in the eastern Mediterranean, particularly around the Gulf of İskenderun. It is also harvested in parts of its natural range, but its greatest importance lies in aquaculture. Since 2003, annual farm production has exceeded 38,000 tonnes, with the catch valued at over US$200 million.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Marsupenaeus japonicus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Marsupenaeus japonicus occurs naturally in bays and seas of the Indo-West Pacific, from the coast of East Africa and the Red Sea as far east as Fiji and Japan. It has also reached the Mediterranean Sea as a Lessepsian migrant through the Suez Canal, first observed in Egypt in 1924, and has since spread through the Levant and around the coast of Turkey. Further populations have been established after the species was released at various sites around France, Italy, and Greece.
The species was first described by Charles Spence Bate in 1888 as 'Penaeus canaliculatus var. japonicus'. In 1971, N. M. Tirmizi established a new subgenus of Penaeus for P. japonicus, and it was raised to the rank of genus by Isabel Pérez Farfante and Brian Kensley in 1997. Chan (2023) classified Marsupenaeus as one of eleven subgenera of Penaeus sensu lato.
Males can reach a total length of 17 cm, while females may reach 27 cm and a mass of 130 g. The body is pale with brown bands across the back; the pereiopods and pleopods are pale yellow near their bases and blue near the tips. The rostrum bears 8–10 spines on the top and one or two below. It lives in bays and inland seas, particularly where warm currents occur, is nocturnal, and remains buried in the substrate during the day. Its predators include bony fishes and cartilaginous fishes.
Reader's Guide
Marsupenaeus japonicus is considered one of the most economically important members of the family Penaeidae. In its introduced range, it is the subject of fishing by trawling in the eastern Mediterranean, especially around the Gulf of İskenderun. It is also fished in various parts of its natural range, but its greatest importance is in aquaculture. Since 2003, more than 38,000 tonnes have been produced in shrimp farms annually, and the value of the annual catch exceeds US$200 million. The species is one of the largest prawns, contributing to its high commercial value. Its ability to adapt to new environments, as demonstrated by its establishment in the Mediterranean after migration through the Suez Canal and subsequent introductions, has expanded its economic relevance beyond its native Indo-West Pacific range. The taxonomic history—from a variety of Penaeus to a subgenus, then to a full genus, and later reclassified as a subgenus—reflects ongoing scientific discussion about its classification, but its status as a monotypic genus remains a key point in its identity.
Did You Know?
- Marsupenaeus japonicus is the only species in the genus Marsupenaeus.
- Females can reach 27 cm in length and a mass of 130 g.
- The species was first described in 1888 as Penaeus canaliculatus var. japonicus.
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