The Longarm Prawn – Heteropenaeus longimanus is a species of shrimp known for its elongated and powerful claws. This prawn is a captivating inhabitant of the marine environment, exhibiting unique characteristics and playing a crucial role in the ecological balance of its habitat.
Description & Characteristics
The Longarm Prawn – Heteropenaeus longimanus is characterized by its robust body and distinctively long, strong claws. The prawns typically reach a maximum size of approximately 20 cm in length. Their bodies are covered in a hard exoskeleton, which they shed periodically as they grow. The coloration of the Longarm Prawn – Heteropenaeus longimanus varies depending on the environment, ranging from shades of brown to greenish-grey, often blending with the surrounding seabed.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Longarm Prawn – Heteropenaeus longimanus is a demersal species, preferring to reside on the seafloor. They are typically found in coastal waters, ranging from shallow depths to depths of up to 100 meters. Their preferred habitats include sandy, muddy, or rocky bottoms, often in areas with moderate currents. These prawns are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region, spanning from the eastern coast of Africa to the western coast of the Americas, including the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. The Longarm Prawn – Heteropenaeus longimanus is a significant inhabitant of the neritic zone, which is the area of the ocean extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf, and the oceanic zone, which encompasses the deep waters beyond the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The species Longarm Prawn – Heteropenaeus longimanus belongs to the Class: Malacostraca, Order: Decapoda, and Family: Penaeidae. This family comprises a diverse group of prawns and shrimps that are characterized by their elongated bodies, distinctive rostrum, and well-developed pleopods (swimming legs).
Feeding
The Longarm Prawn – Heteropenaeus longimanus is an omnivorous species, feeding on a diverse range of organisms and detritus. Their diet includes algae, brine shrimp nauplii, brine shrimps, detritus, flakes, frozen food (large sort), and mysis. Their strong claws are instrumental in scavenging and capturing prey, enabling them to efficiently extract nutrients from their surroundings.
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