White shrimp

White shrimp (Penaeus setiferus), also known as Atlantic white shrimp or green tails, are found on the Eastern seaboard of North America.

These shrimps are carried by tides and wind driven into estuaries. These shrimp have a maximum life span of about 24 months.

This species is a true shrimp and therefore has ten legs, like crabs and lobsters which are also members of the decapod order. They also have a shell covering the head and body. Overall body color is bluish white with pink sides.

Females grow larger then males. Large males measure 182 mm. In length. Large females grow large and eventually reach 200 mm. Juvenile shrimp grow 1.2 mm per day during late spring and summer months. Growth is slow in the spring.

Few white shrimp live as long as a year. Spawning happens as far as nine km from the shore. Between 500,000 to 1 million eggs are released per spawn. Eggs sink to the bottom of the water as the are released and they hatch within 10-12 hours

Growth in Penaeus setiferus occurs at temperatures above 20 degrees. Temperatures and food supply could limit growth rates. In 1998, the total US catch for white shrimp was 46,842 metric tons with a value of over $243,630,461. It is sold in variety of fresh and frozen product forms. It is also sold as whole and tails. White shrimp are sold throughout the year. The peak months for the fishermen are November to January.

The common name "white shrimp" is also sometimes used for the closely related Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei.