Metapenaeus joyneri (Miers, 1880)

Family: Penaeidae
Common Name: Shiba shrimp
Synonyms: None

Main Morphological Features:
Rostrum, with distal 1/3 devoid of teeth and proximal 2/3 consists of 6 - 8 dorsal teeth, is horizontal and reaches distal margin of antennular peduncle. Carapace, with hepatic and antennal spines but without supra-orbital and pterygostomian spines, contains many grooves and pubescent areas. The hepatic groove is deeply sulcate and obliquely inclined upwards. The upper antennular flagellum is slightly longer than the lower. Dorsal carina extends from the 1st to 6th abdominal somites, while a small spine is formed on the distal end of the 6th somite. Telson, with a deep median groove, is slightly longer than the 6th somite and contains a number of minute movable lateral spines. Petasma is symmetrical with the lateral lobe harder and thicker than the median lobe. Thelycum has the lateral plate crescent shaped and encloses the median plate.

Colour:
Body translucent bright yellow with minute blue or brown dots all over carapace and abdomen. Antennal flagellum red. Pleopods pale yellow. Distal half of tail fan dark red.

Size:
Maximum length 125mm, commonly 70 - 100mm.

Distribution:
East China Sea and Yellow Sea of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

Habitat:
Found on sandy bottom of less than 40m in depth.

Remarks:
Commercially significant in China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Optimal fishing seasons from June to August.