The 10 Largest Shrimp (and Prawns) in the World

While plenty of shrimp are small, some can grow large enough to compete with the size of a prawn. Both shrimp and prawns are classified as decapod crustaceans. In some countries, like the U.K., the name “prawn” is used for both. Prawns generally have longer legs than shrimp, and both have three pairs of clawed legs. The main difference lies in their gill structure and the way their body segments overlap. Prawns belong to the suborder Dendrobranchiata. They are typically larger and are mostly found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater.

Most true shrimp belong to the infraorder Caridea within the suborder Pleocyemata, which also includes other crustaceans like lobsters and crabs. Shrimp are generally smaller and are found in both marine and freshwater environments. In this list, we will look at the largest shrimp and prawns in the world. Note that the mantis shrimp is not included, even though many believe it to be the largest shrimp. However, mantis shrimp are not true shrimp, but shrimp-like crustaceans in the order Stomatopoda. Here are 10 of the largest shrimp and prawns you can find in both freshwater and ocean habitats.

#10. Deep Water Rose Shrimp 

The deep water rose shrimp can be found inhabiting muddy and sandy sea floors in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Their preferred depth is around 65-2,200 feet. However, larger shrimp will be found in deeper waters. These are large shrimp sometimes eaten for their sweet meat. Males can reach up to 6.3 inches, while females may reach 7.5 inches. They have a varied diet that becomes more diverse as they age. Their main diet consists of foraminifera, but they will also feed on other organisms that live on the sea floor. The deep water rose shrimp has an orange-pinkish tint with long antennae.

#9. Chinese White Shrimp 

The Chinese white shrimp lives in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and along the Korean coast. They are massively farmed in China and are enjoyed for their large size and tender meat. They average 6.7-7.5 inches in length and can sometimes grow larger. These shrimp prefer colder waters and can be found at a depth of 295-590 feet. They are entirely white in color. Chinese white shrimp are also called the oriental shrimp or fleshy prawn. This species was in decline, but an effort to release young shrimp back into the ocean resulted in a population rebound.

#8. White Shrimp 

White shrimp live in warm waters and cannot survive below 37 degrees Fahrenheit. With the right temperatures and salinity, they can grow quickly, reaching 7-8 inches in length. In the wild, they are found at a depth of 98-262 feet. They primarily feed on plankton. White shrimp usually live less than one year, but during mating, a female can produce up to one million eggs. Larger white shrimp have been observed to eat smaller members of their own species. Other names for this species include Daytona shrimp, southern shrimp, and gray shrimp. They inhabit the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic.

#7. Pink Shrimp

Pink shrimp are found on the east coast of the U.S., in the waters around Bermuda, and the Gulf of Mexico. This shrimp lives at depths of 6.5-230 feet and can reach around 11 inches or larger. The many names of this shrimp include the skipper, red shrimp, pink spotted shrimp, hopper, and pink night shrimp. They are widely farmed in the U.S. and are considered one of the tastiest species. The diet consists of larvae and plankton. Finfish, minnows, water boatmen, and other shrimp feed on this abundant species. They have a lifespan of under two years. When mating, they will lay around 500,000 to one million eggs. 

#6. Whiteleg Shrimp 

Whiteleg shrimp are also called Pacific white shrimp and inhabit the eastern region of the Pacific Ocean. They require water temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit and live at depths of up to 256 feet. Proper water temperatures allow this species to grow and reproduce. The maximum length for the whiteleg shrimp is 9-11 inches. Whiteleg shrimp are commonly caught and farmed for food. This shrimp has a lifespan of less than two years and can reproduce when it reaches around five inches. Adult shrimp are omnivorous and eat plants, microorganisms, and small fish. Whiteleg shrimp are bluish-white with pink sides.

#5. Kuruma Prawn 

The Kuruma prawn is also known as the Japanese tiger prawn. It inhabits inshore waters up to 295 feet deep. They live in areas with sandy mud and muddy bottoms. This species is native to the southwestern Pacific and the Indian Ocean. They migrate and have been found in European waters, where they have displaced local populations of shrimp. Kuruma prawns reach a length of 10-12 inches and can survive in lower temperatures compared to other prawns. They are beige with brown stripes with a blue-shaded tail. Kuruma prawns are farmed in aquaculture, but they require specific water quality conditions and careful management.

#4. Eastern King Prawn 

Eastern king prawns are found near the coastal regions of eastern Australia and are an important species commonly fished in the area. This species has been a staple of the Australian commercial fishing market for over 50 years and is considered a delicacy. They inhabit sandy and soft sediment areas at depths of up to 722 feet. This large prawn can grow to around 12 inches. They are a beautiful species with a bright rainbow tail. Their diet consists of plankton, small shellfish, worms, and organic matter.

#3. California Spot Prawn

California spot prawns are endemic to the northern Pacific Ocean and inhabit depths of 150-1600 feet. Juveniles live in shallow water, and as they age, they move to deeper waters. The spot prawn can reach 10-12 inches and weigh 0.25 pounds. The California spot prawn can live up to six years and will feed on shrimp, plankton, worms, and sea anemones. Spot prawns are fished for sale in high-end restaurants. Unlike other shrimp species, spot prawns are targeted and caught in specific traps. Large marine animals like seals and octopuses feed on this species in the wild. 

#2. Giant Freshwater Prawn 

The giant freshwater prawn is one of the largest prawns in the world and is endemic to the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, India, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia. Other names include the Malaysian prawn and freshwater scampi. Giant freshwater prawns can grow to be over 12 inches. Their bodies are greenish or brownish-gray, and larger specimens have darker hues. The freshwater prawn or giant river prawn has been introduced to countries across the world and is widely cultivated. Larvae live in brackish water, and as they mature, they move to freshwater. Their diet consists of zooplankton.

#1. Giant Tiger Prawn 

Giant tiger prawns are the largest prawns in the world. They can reach about 13 inches long and weigh up to 10 ounces. These prawns can be found in the waters around Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Australia, and the United States. In the U.S., they are rare and are considered an invasive species, having been released from farming. This prawn is a delicacy across the world and is valued for its large size. The stripes across its back are its most identifiable feature. The stripes can be black or orange, resembling those of a tiger. The giant tiger prawn prefers warm waters and has a lifespan of around three years. They are omnivorous and eat decaying matter, plant material, and small invertebrates.