Discover the 5 Largest Shrimp (And Prawns!) Found in U.S. Waters

Shrimp and prawns are a popular food source in many areas of the U.S., especially along the coast. Most of us have seen pretty big shrimp, but did you know the largest shrimp found in U.S. waters can reach up to 33 centimeters long?

We’ll discuss the five biggest species of prawn and shrimp below.

1. Giant Tiger Prawn

• Size: 33 cm

The giant tiger prawn is the biggest prawn in the United States – and one of the largest in the world. They also have the names black tiger prawn or Asian tiger shrimp. It has a dark brown or black body with white stripes on the tail, though you can often identify it thanks to its huge size.

These prawns are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, including the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. You can find them in U.S. waters, but they’re also found in many other countries.

As omnivores, these shrimp eat just about anything, including algae, small fish, and invertebrates. They’re filter feeders, meaning they use their antennae to stain food particles from the water. They don’t actually go hunting or anything of that sort.

The giant tiger prawn can live up to three years. However, they are one of the fastest-growing shrimp in the world, reaching maturity at just six months. They’re also one of the most valuable shrimp species, as they are highly sought after. After their accidental release in South Carolina in 1986, they spread throughout the country. Some states, such as Texas, consider them invasive.

2. California Spot Prawn

• Size: 25 cm

At just slightly smaller than the giant tiger prawn, the California spot prawn is a pretty large shrimp. They’re found in the North Pacific, ranging from Alaska to California. They also live at about any depth and have been found from 150 to 1,600 feet below sea level.

They are the largest prawn in the North Pacific, weighing up to 0.25 pounds each. Their carapace is translucent and reddish with white stripes, while their pereopods and antennae are banded with dark and light red. They also have white spots on their first and fifth abdominal segments.

Spot prawns are a popular food source. They’re considered a delicacy in many parts of the world and can be expensive. Fishing spot prawns is restricted, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife carefully regulates the process. The state does this to ensure that the population remains stable and healthy.

These prawns start life as males and then transition into females later, which makes them protandric hermaphrodites.

3. White Leg Shrimp

• Size: 23 cm

White Leg Shrimp are a species of prawn found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, where they are commonly caught or farmed for food. They are found just off the coast of southern Texas, making them one of the rarer shrimp in U.S. waters.

These shrimp can grow up to 23 centimeters long and weigh around 0.15 pounds each. Their translucent, white body has a blueish hue, and their legs look completely white. That’s how they got their name.

Like many shrimp, this species is omnivorous and eats just about anything. They use their antennae to strain food particles from the water, which might include other fish or algae.

Whiteleg shrimp are a popular food source, and many countries throughout the world farm them. As one of the most widely farmed shrimp species, they are particularly popular in Asian cuisine. They’re a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Pink Shrimp

• Size: 20 cm

These shrimp are also known as gulf pink shrimp. However, they are found throughout the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Mexico to North Carolina. As you might guess, these shrimp are very pink. This coloration is due to the presence of astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment.

Pink shrimp can reach a length of 20 centimeters and weigh up to 0.1 pounds. They have a translucent pink body with a white stripe on their tail, and their legs are also typically pink.

These shrimp are filter feeders, so they consume anything they can find. They eat scraps of algae, small fish, and other invertebrates from the water.

Like many shrimp on this list, pink shrimp are a common food source. They’re harvested in the United States, Mexico, and the Bahamas. As you might expect, they’re high in protein and other nutrients. They’re one of the most valuable shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico and are heavily used in Creole and Cajun cuisine.

5. Brown Shrimp

• Size: 18 cm

Brown shrimp are commonly known as Texas brown shrimp or gulf brown shrimp. However, these names are somewhat counterintuitive, as they can be found from North Carolina to Mexico. Their name originates from their brownish color caused by the presence of melanin, a pigment also found in human skin.

They’re one of the most abundant shrimp found in the Gulf of Mexico. This species is a relatively popular food source and much more available than some other shrimp on this list. They’re used in many different kinds of cuisine, including Creole and Cajun.

This species is a filter feeder like other shrimp. They use their feathery antennae to strain food particles from the water. These food particles can be just about anything, including other fish and plant matter.

Summary of the 5 Largest Shrimp Found in U.S. Waters