Fenneropenaeus

Fenneropenaeus is a genus of prawns in the family Penaeidae. Species within this genus are native to warm tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, and several members are important for commercial fisheries and aquaculture.

The genus comprises multiple species, including Fenneropenaeus indicus (Indian white prawn), Fenneropenaeus merguiensis (banana prawn), and Fenneropenaeus chinensis (Chinese white shrimp). They are distinguished from other penaeid prawns by a combination of morphological and genetic traits.

Fenneropenaeus species inhabit coastal, estuarine, and some offshore habitats, often in shallow, sandy or muddy bottoms. They exhibit a pelagic larval stage followed by benthic juvenile and adult phases, with life cycles that are tied to seasonal changes in temperature and salinity.

Economically, Fenneropenaeus prawns are widely harvested and cultured. Major producers include various Asian and Oceanic countries. The genus faces pressures from overfishing, habitat degradation, and disease outbreaks such as white spot syndrome, leading to management and biosecurity measures in some fisheries and farms.