This is a 10-legged crustacean, with semi-hard and pinkish-coloured shell, with brown streaks. It measures between 12 and 15 centimetres long. It lives in seas all around the world, and in the Mediterranean (it is found in the sandy depths of the mouths of the rivers, where the most highly appreciated variety of kuruma shrimps grow). This crustacean is currently one of the most highly consumed species due to the development of its controlled breeding in coastal areas.
There are several varieties of shrimps originating from different seas. The kuruma shrimps, with their marked brown stripes, are the most highly appreciated (the witch prawn–Penaeus canalicatus–, green tiger prawn–Penaeus semisulcatus–, brown tiger prawn–Penaeus esculentus–). The white-leg shrimps (Penaeus vannamei) do not have these stripes.
There are several varieties of shrimps originating from different seas. The kuruma shrimps, with their marked brown stripes, are the most highly appreciated (the witch prawn–Penaeus canalicatus–, green tiger prawn–Penaeus semisulcatus–, brown tiger prawn–Penaeus esculentus–). The white-leg shrimps (Penaeus vannamei) do not have these stripes.