Prawn

Prawn, a name applied indiscriminately to crustaceans belonging to the genera Palæmon, Pandalus, and Hippolyte. They are nearly allied to shrimps and lobsters, are mostly but not exclusively marine, and vary in size from a couple of inches to over a foot in some tropical forms. There are many species; thus, Palæmon squilla, Pandalus annulicornis, and Hippolyte spinus are common in the Firth of Forth, while others abound elsewhere. Many of them are semi-transparent, and exhibit very fine colours; they are also very active creatures, and most interesting inmates of an aquarium, but are excessively voracious, and apt to make great havoc among its other inhabitants. They are common on the British coasts, although not so abundant as shrimps, and are generally taken in the vicinity of rocks at a little distance from the shore. They may be caught in putting nets or in osier baskets, like those used for trapping lobsters. They are esteemed for eating even more highly than the shrimp. For illustration, see CRUSTACEA.