Brief note on Marine Prawns of Orissa

Among the marine prawns the following arte common.

1. Penaeus indicus:

This is the commonest commercial species found along the coast, occurring through coastal water and estuiraries to coastal lakes and back waters. It can attain maximum length up to 2- centimeters.

2. P. monodon:

This is the largest sea prawn which can attain maximum length upto 30 centimeters.

3. M. dobsoni:

This is commonly found in brackish water and estuaries and is a dominant species of back waters. It can grow upto 11cm.

4. M. monoceros:

This is found throughout the entire coast line. It is also common in estuaries and back waters and can attain a maximum length of 12cm.

5. Parapenaeopsis sculptilis:

This is found in Chilika Lake and the maximum length attained by this prawn is 14cm.

M. Malcomsoni: this is a migratory species generally found in Chilika Lake towards the close of monsoon and fished in larger number. This can attain a maximum length of 15cm.