Austfish

Know Your Aussie Prawns: Types Explained

Australia's prawn industry is renowned for its diversity, offering a variety of prawn species that differ in taste, texture, size, color, and habitat. Whether wild-caught along Australia’s vast coastline or sustainably farmed, each type brings unique qualities to the table. Below is a guide to the main prawn varieties in Australia and what sets them apart.

Banana Prawns

Regions: Northern Australia – Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory, and northern Western Australia
Habitat: Wild-caught in tropical waters
Appearance: Pale pink to translucent with a slight yellow tinge
Size: Medium to large
Taste: Mild, sweet flavor
Texture: Firm yet delicate
Types:

White Banana Prawn: Abundant in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Redleg Banana Prawn: Found off Western Australia; slightly more robust texture.
Uses: Perfect for stir-fries, curries, and pasta dishes due to their quick cooking time.

Tiger Prawns

Regions: Farmed in Queensland and New South Wales; wild-caught in Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Queensland
Habitat: Both farmed and wild-caught
Appearance: Distinctive dark stripes on the shell; color ranges from grey to blue-green
Size: Large
Taste: Richer, slightly briny flavor
Texture: Firm and meaty
Types:

Black Tiger Prawns (Penaeus monodon): Commonly farmed; large and visually striking.
Brown Tiger Prawns (Penaeus esculentus): Wild-caught, with a more intense flavor.
Uses: Ideal for BBQ, grilling, or dishes where prawns are the star ingredient.

King Prawns

Regions: South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland
Habitat: Wild-caught, Arafura Sea to the north and the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf in the northwest
Appearance: Blue or purple legs, pale body with a pinkish hue
Size: Large to very large
Taste: Sweet and delicate
Texture: Firm with a slightly crisp bite
Types: Eastern King Prawns (Melicertus plebejus): Found along the east coast, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales.
Western King Prawns (Melicertus latisulcatus): From Western Australia and South Australia; considered premium.
Uses: Versatile for salads, pastas, or served whole.

Endeavour Prawns

Regions: Northern Australia
Habitat: Wild-caught
Appearance: Small to medium, reddish-brown shell
Size: Smaller than tiger or king prawns
Taste: Sweet but subtler than other varieties
Texture: Soft, less firm
Types:

Red Endeavour Prawn
Blue Endeavour Prawn
Uses: Budget-friendly choice for pies, soups, or bulk dishes.