🍤 Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) – The Black-Gold of the Sundarbans Estuaries
The Giant Tiger Prawn, scientifically known as Penaeus monodon, is a large, commercially prized shrimp species found in the brackish waters of the Sundarbans delta. Known for its bold stripes, impressive size, and high export value, it plays a significant role in the local economy, aquaculture, and estuarine food chain. Nicknamed the “Black Tiger Shrimp”, it’s a star species in Bengal’s fisheries and global seafood markets.
🏷 Taxonomy
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Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Arthropoda
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Subphylum: Crustacea
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Class: Malacostraca
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Order: Decapoda
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Family: Penaeidae
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Genus: Penaeus
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Species: P. monodon
🌊 A native of Indo-Pacific estuaries, it has become one of the most cultured and economically important prawns in the world.
🔬 Morphology & Physical Features
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Size: One of the largest shrimp species — can grow up to 35 cm and weigh over 250 grams.
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Coloration:
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Distinctive dark greyish to bluish body with transverse black tiger-like stripes on the abdomen and tail.
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Legs may be reddish or white.
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Body Structure:
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Hard exoskeleton, segmented body, long antennae, and fan-shaped tail.
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Five pairs of swimming legs and powerful swimmerets.
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🌍 Habitat & Distribution
The Giant Tiger Prawn is native to tropical and subtropical coastal regions, especially in:
🌎 Key Areas:
✅ Sundarbans (India & Bangladesh) – Found in brackish tidal waters, river mouths, and shrimp farms.
✅ Coastal Asia (India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines).
✅ Now cultured worldwide — in Africa, Australia, and Latin America.
📌 Preferred Habitat:
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Brackish estuaries, tidal creeks, mangrove swamps.
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Juveniles prefer shallow, muddy-bottomed zones; adults migrate offshore to breed.
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Thrive in water salinity ranging from 10 to 30 ppt.
🔁 Life Cycle & Breeding
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Breeding: Occurs in offshore marine waters, typically during warmer months.
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Spawning: Females lay up to 500,000 to 1 million eggs.
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Larval Stages: Hatch into nauplii → protozoea → mysis → post-larvae.
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Post-larvae settle in mangroves, creeks, and nursery grounds like the Sundarbans.
🧬 Life span: Typically 1.5 to 2 years in wild or aquaculture settings.
🌿 Ecological Role in the Sundarbans
The Giant Tiger Prawn is both a consumer and prey in the estuarine food web.
📌 Ecological Importance:
1️⃣ Detritivore and predator – Feeds on algae, small crustaceans, mollusks, and detritus.
2️⃣ Nursery species – Juveniles are key food for fish, birds, and estuarine reptiles.
3️⃣ Ecosystem link – Connects mangrove creeks to deeper waters through its migration pattern.
💰 Economic & Cultural Importance
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💵 “Liquid gold” of Sundarbans aquaculture – exported to Europe, the US, Middle East, and Japan.
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🧑🌾 Cultured in ‘Bheris’ or shrimp ponds in Gosaba, Basanti, Canning, and Kakdwip regions.
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🍽️ Culinary delicacy – Featured in prawn malai curry, grilled tiger shrimp, and spicy jhol.
📈 India is one of the world’s largest exporters of P. monodon, and the Sundarbans plays a key role.
⚠️ Threats & Conservation Concerns
🚨 Overharvesting of wild broodstock reduces genetic diversity.
🚨 Mangrove loss affects nursery habitats and breeding cycles.
🚨 Disease outbreaks (like White Spot Syndrome) threaten both wild and farmed populations.
🚨 Pollution and antibiotic overuse in shrimp farms impact estuarine health.
🚨 Salinization from shrimp aquaculture harms rice cultivation in adjacent lands.
✅ Sustainable Aquaculture Practices
✔ Mangrove-integrated shrimp farming (ecological bheris) – combines prawn culture with mangrove conservation.
✔ Regulated breeding programs for hatcheries.
✔ Training local communities in disease management and biosecurity.
✔ Use of native plant-based feeds and organic shrimp initiatives.
🚨 Conservation Status
📌 IUCN Red List: Not Evaluated, but considered vulnerable to aquaculture stressors.
📌 CITES: Not listed
📌 Protected indirectly through mangrove habitat conservation in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve.
The Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) is a true treasure of the Sundarbans’ estuarine waters — sustaining economies, ecosystems, and cuisines. Its success, however, depends on sustainable aquaculture, mangrove conservation, and community stewardship. Protecting this prawn means preserving both livelihoods and landscapes across the delta. 🌊🦐🌿
🌟 Credit Note
🌿 Witness the aquaculture magic on a Sundarban private tour package with visits to prawn farms and local fisheries. 🛶✨
🌍 Choose an immersive Sundarban luxury tour to explore estuarine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods. 🐯🌾
🐟 Relish seasonal prawn dishes at the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 🎣🍽
For more details, visit the Giant Tiger Prawn Wikipedia Page.