FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

Penaeidae 909
Metapenaeus anchistus (De Man, 1920)
Frequent synonyms / misidentifications: None / Metapenaeus endeavouri Schmitt, 1926;
M. intermedius (Kishinouye, 1900).
FAO names: En - Spiny greasyback shrimp.
Diagnostic characters: Body
covered with fine pubescence.
Rostrum distinctly directed
upward, bearing 10 to 12 teeth
along entire upper margin, almost
straight and slightly
merus of fifth leg (male)
curved downward at tip; rostrum extending to about distal segment of antennular
peduncle. Postrostral crest low. Branchiocardiac crest distinct. First leg with
distinct ischial spine. In adult males, merus of fifth leg with a basal notch followed
by a prominent keel. Petasma of males with distolateral projections exceeding
distomedian processes and without external spinules; distomedian
processes triangular and close to each other. Thelycum of females with
anterior plate expanded at anterior half; lateral plates generally leveled,
posterior margin not raised and continuous with posterior transverse ridge;
coxal projections of fourth leg conical. Telson with 3 pairs of large lateral
distolateral
projection
anterior plate
lateral plates
thelycum
distomedian
projection
petasma (ventral view)
spines. Colour: body rather yellowish and covered with dense dark brown dots; eyes dark brown; rostrum
and dorsal abdominal crest black-brown; antennal flagella reddish brown; legs somewhat yellowish or pink;
pleopods more pinkish, with white markings on outer sides; distal part of uropods bluish, with margins
reddish brown to somewhat purplish.
Size: Maximum body length 16.5 cm (females) and 14.6 cm (males), commonly between 7 and 14 cm.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Found mainly in depths to about 30 m. Caught by trawls and fish corrals.
Commonly found in the Philippines and of moderate commercial importance because of its relatively large
size; apparently less common
or even rare in other parts of
the area. Marketed mainly
fresh for local consumption.
Distribution: Western Pacific
from the Strait of Malacca to the
Philippines and Fiji.