Giant freshwater shrimp. What are shrimp and how to choose them
In the underwater world, there are a huge number of living creatures that differ in classes and types. The class of crustaceans is represented by shrimp. They can be found in any sea or ocean. Shrimp vary in appearance, size, color and lifestyle. The shrimp's lifestyle is calm, they do not change their area of habitat and are in the same territory throughout their lives.
The life of a shrimp is from half a year to a year, and the average size varies from 6 to 14 cc. The maximum length is 40 cm, this is the largest shrimp in history. Shrimps of the minimum size are harvested in the North Pacific and the Barents Sea.
Features of the life of a shrimp
A species of shrimp, common on the west coast of Africa, lives in muddy areas near the mouth of a river. The temperature of the natural water layer varies from 17 to 23 degrees, and the depth does not exceed 70 meters. In daylight, the shrimp burrow into the mud and rest until dark. At night, they hunt for small creatures from the category of crustaceans.
The Far East is also rich in various types of shrimp. There they are called shrims or chilim. In the coastal regions of the Kuril Islands, in South Sakhalin and in Primorye, there is a species of grass shrimp, they live in sea grass. And near the mouths of the river, small sandy shrims live. A large species of shrimp that reaches 30 cm is called shrims - a bear cub, they are common in the Japanese, Bering and Okhotsk seas.
Rating of the largest shrimp
In first place in the ranking of the largest shrimp is the shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus. This species was caught in Colombia, its length reached 40 cm. The size of the shrimp was twice the size of the average tiger shrimp, which reaches 20 cm. It was attributed to a variety of peacock shrimp or mantis shrimp. The mantis shrimp is a predator whose size can reach 30 cm, and powerful claws give it additional size. Because of them, it is popularly called "biting finger".
Shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus, or Peacock shrimp The peacock species of shrimp hunts from the sand. They use their pincers like a hammer that can break open mussel shells to feast on the tender meat. Also, they can easily hit the octopus and damage it. This type of crustacean has a unique optical system. Their eyes see in optical, infrared and ultraviolet ranges.
Peacock shrimp can glow at night. This phenomenon was discovered by marine biologists, they found that the light signals that come from the eyes of shrimp are a signal of an approaching danger to other individuals. The mantis shrimp is clearly visible in shallow water, the surface of its body is covered with characteristic spots. And in the depths of the reservoir, they can only be distinguished by the light that comes from the eyes of this individual.
To understand the full scale of the wealth of such a "signaling" and compare the functionality with a peacock shrimp, you need to use special equipment, the weight of which will reach 100 kg.
In second place is a type of shrimp that reaches 28 cm. It is fixed in and is the official representative of the largest type of shrimp. The crustacean is 10 times larger than all species of its class, it was caught by fishermen in the north of the New Zealand coast.
The official record for the largest shrimp was set by a biologist from the UK - Alan Jamieson (Alan Jamieson). The shrimp was caught at a depth of 10 kilometers. The scientist was surprised by his prey and for a long time could not understand what kind this creature belongs to. It was possible to catch an unknown shrimp with the help of a trap located at the bottom of the sea.
On the same expedition, Alan Jemison's team managed to catch another representative of crustaceans, the size of which was 33 cm. However, an unknown creature slipped out of the trap at the moment of lifting. This species has not been officially recorded and remains unstudied. There is a video recording of a secret view that confirms the existence.
Unexplored secrets of the underwater world
Renowned director McLocky created a film about a giant mantis shrimp, it was released in 2003 and was called - "Crust" - Crustacean. The genre of the film is fantasy. In the story - a giant peacock shrimp falls into the hands of a former boxer, and he will teach her all the elements of boxing.
If you transfer the meaning of the plot to the real world, then with the provocation of a peacock shrimp, you can lose all the fingers on your hand. Therefore, you need to handle it only with a special glove.
The existence of many species has not yet been proven by scientists, but everyone hopes to discover their own unique species, which will reach record sizes.
"Finding such a huge shrimp proves the fact that we know very little about the inhabitants of the marine world, their life and reproduction," said Alan Jemison's scientists.
To set a record, you need to carefully and gradually study the underwater world, this may take a large number of years, but they will not be wasted.
Our article will not only help you learn how to determine the size of shrimp, but also tell you about these unusual creatures. Today, shrimp are distributed almost throughout the planet. These marine inhabitants also mastered many fresh water bodies, but even this seemed not enough to lovers of their valuable and tasty meat. That is why shrimp are also artificially grown on farms. There are a huge number of species that differ from each other in taste, color, composition, size.
Some breeds were bred artificially, but not at all for subsequent consumption, but for the sake of aesthetic pleasure. also come in different sizes: both large and small. Anyone who loves the magical underwater world can populate the aquarium with the kind of inhabitants that he likes.
You will learn from our article a lot of useful things for anyone who is interested in shrimp: size, photo, color, culinary value and many other interesting facts about these animals.
Peculiarities
Shrimps belong to the class of higher crayfish. The closest relatives of these arthropods are crabs, crayfish, wood lice and amphipods.
As you might guess from the name of the order, shrimp have 5 pairs of legs. Almost all representatives of the infraorder also have a pair of whiskers.
The body of the shrimp is segmented, the tail is bent towards the abdomen. Sexual dimorphism is practically not expressed, but in most species the male is slightly more intensely colored than the female. But during the breeding season, you can quickly determine the female by the presence of a clutch of eggs, which is stored on the abdomen between the legs.
Specialists have a huge number of types of shrimp. The size of their representatives varies from 2 to 30 centimeters.
Shrimps and their importance in cooking
It is difficult to list all the peoples in the world who consider shrimp a national product. They are adored by Italians and French, Spaniards and Greeks, residents of South America, Australia, Oceania, the Far East and many other regions in which this arthropod lives. Some cuisines of the world are simply impossible to imagine without shrimp dishes: boiled, grilled, smoked, marinated, fried with hot spices.
Shrimps are served in inexpensive bars and luxurious restaurants. The price tag for dishes with them varies in a huge range. Luckily, you don't have to go to a restaurant to enjoy this delicacy, you can make them at home too.
Once upon a time, residents of many regions remote from the seas and oceans could only dream of such dishes and enjoy them only on trips. But these days, many species are quite affordable. You can easily find shrimp in any supermarket. Size 90 is considered the most common. But what does this number mean? Now we will understand this.
What is a caliber?
Surely you have come across similar markings when choosing products. The word "caliber" can be read not only on the packaging of shrimp, but also on a jar of olives, olives and other delicacies. Of course, we are talking about size. The caliber indicates the size of the shrimp.
What does the number mean? The answer to this question is easy to remember. We are talking about the number of individuals in a kilogram. It follows from this that the smaller the number, the larger the size of the shrimp. Each caliber is good in its own way and suitable for different dishes.
small shrimps
In many countries of the world, such a trifle is not particularly popular. But the size of shrimp 90/120 has a number of advantages. The main advantage of a small caliber, as you might guess, is the price.
Small shrimps are great for adding to salads, smoothies, sauces. You can decorate them with toasts, canapes, vol-au-vents, pizza, sandwiches. You can also make soup with 90/120 shrimp.
The color of most varieties varies from soft pink to rich peach. The taste of small shrimps is usually pronounced.
There is an even smaller caliber of shrimp. Surely everyone who has ever been to Odessa has tried or at least seen an unusual delicacy, which the locals call crustaceans. This species is found in the coastal zone of the Black Sea, and only gauze and a bucket are required to catch it. In most countries of the world, similar varieties are used only in the preparation of feed for animals and commercial fish, but every inhabitant of Odessa considers a small bag of crustaceans to be one of the symbols of South Palmyra. This trifle is prepared quite simply - boiled in salted boiling water.
medium size shrimp
Shrimp size 70/90 is often chosen by those who are going to cook pasta or pilaf. This category is also relatively affordable.
As we already know, this marking indicates the number of shrimp. In one kilogram there can be 72, and 79, and 85.
Shrimps of this size are most often caught in the Atlantic Ocean.
Large and extra large
Many mistakenly believe that the larger the shrimp, the tastier and more expensive it is. Unfortunately, this common misconception plays into the hands of unscrupulous sellers who diligently cultivate it. In order not to get into trouble, it is worth studying this issue in more detail.
Surely you are familiar with such a name as king prawns. Their sizes are large, as are the prices for dishes with such an ingredient. But is the excitement justified? In fact, the name "king prawns" has nothing to do with science. This kind simply does not exist. With these beautiful words, sellers and cooks call completely different varieties of shrimp in order to sell them at a higher price. Often even not very tasty breeds grown on farms are called royal. To get large samples, not the most useful components that provoke growth are added to the feed. Real connoisseurs are unlikely to encroach on this dubious product.
Another thing is the oceanic giants. The maximum size of tiger prawns can reach 30 centimeters. Their caliber is 2-3 individuals per kilo. It is easy to recognize this species, because the dark transverse stripes fully justify the name. Unfortunately, in our time, you can also run into a fake, because these shrimp also learned to breed artificially, so it is important to know how to choose a quality product.
What are cocktail shrimp?
It should be understood that when it comes to caliber, we mean a whole shrimp, with a shell, legs and head. But along with unpeeled ones, there are also so-called cocktail shrimp on sale. This term means that the product is completely cleaned, and sometimes even boiled before freezing.
Of course, if you clean a kilogram of 90-caliber shrimp, then the weight of the carcasses will be much less than a kilogram. The difference can reach 40-50%, that is, peeled shrimp per kilogram will no longer be 90, but 170-180.
Freeze
Another way to outsmart the buyer is in the technological features of freezing. Dry freezing practically does not change their structure and perfectly preserves the product. But in domestic supermarkets, another category is more common - glazed shrimp. This "delicious" word means nothing more than ordinary water. Due to the fact that the body of the shrimp is covered with a layer of ice, a much smaller amount will fit in a kilogram. Remember that the size of the shrimp is artificially increased if you see the marking "glazed" on the pack.
How to choose shrimp
You have already guessed about many pitfalls. Our little cheat sheet will help you not get confused in the store when choosing the best shrimp.
- Give preference to a packaged product, not a loose one. Packaging is harder to fake.
- Pay attention to the country of origin. The best shrimp are caught by Norwegian, Danish, Finnish companies. An excellent product is provided by the Japanese (although it is more expensive and less common). Pretty good Russian shrimp. But most of the shrimp from the Far East are grown in captivity.
- Pay special attention to ice. It should not be on the shrimp themselves or in the pack.
- Cocktail shrimp that have been steamed or boiled have a shorter shelf life than raw shrimp. Look at the numbers.
decorative value
Did you know that shrimp can be bred in a regular aquarium? Many breeds get along well with non-aggressive fish and other neighbors. But some prefer solitude.
If you want to get such a pet, be sure to consult a specialist who can give recommendations on care, regimen, and feed.
The size of shrimp for an aquarium is on average small. Most of them reach an average of 5-6 cm. But the color variety is truly huge! You can choose from blue, black, red, yellow, spotted and even completely transparent pet.
Giant shrimp: myths and reality
Have you heard scary stories about giant squids and octopuses? Maybe there are other underwater inhabitants, the size of which is much larger than encyclopedias claim?
In the case of shrimp, we are unlikely to be sensational. In any case, there is no information, even indirect and doubtful, at present. The size of the shrimp does not exceed 30 cm.
Often langoustines are confused with shrimp. But these are completely different animals, albeit similar in appearance. In order not to be considered ignorant and not to be confused, it is enough to remember that the langoustine has claws.
As we could see, the variety of shrimp is very large. We hope that our article told you something new about these unusual creatures.
It is not known exactly how many species of shrimp exist, because, firstly, many varieties live in the seas, oceans and fresh water, and it cannot be argued that all of them have already been discovered. And, secondly, work is constantly underway to cross and select aquarium shrimp, as a result of which new species appear.
Shrimp belong to the phylum Arthropoda, class Crustaceans, that is, they are the closest relatives of crayfish. In some species of shrimp, this is reflected in appearance. How exactly?
Aquarium shrimps: types and content
Shrimp in the aquarium perform several functions. The first is cleaning the bottom of the aquarium from organic residues. For the most part, shrimp are peaceful creatures, therefore, if you see a shrimp eating, for example, dead fish, you do not need to blame it - the shrimp simply cleans the aquarium of decaying remains, which contributes to its cleanliness and balance.
The second function is aesthetic. Many species have a beautiful color, so the aquarium with them acquires a "zest".
What types of shrimp are there for the aquarium? Let's consider the most interesting of them.
freshwater individuals
It should be noted that these types of shrimp are not suitable for eating. Therefore, it is possible to breed shrimp in an aquarium only for beauty and sanitary functions. There is a wide variety of freshwater aquarium shrimp species that naturally live in rivers, lakes, and estuaries.
Neocardines
Popular and unpretentious. Live an average of 1-2 years. There are several types of neocardine shrimp. It is recommended to keep them separately, as all neocardins can interbreed with each other, which will lead to degeneration of the color in the offspring.
From neocardina vulgaris, all the rest descended, as a result of random mutations and selection work. The regular neocardinka is transparent and, because of its extreme unpretentiousness and cheapness, is ideal for those who have never kept shrimp before.
cherry shrimp
Otherwise, it is called "red cherry", "cherry shrimp", "red fire" or simply "cherry". It appeared in Russia in 2004.
The most suitable conditions for neocardines are water temperatures of 22-25 degrees Celsius and thickets of plants at the bottom, like Java moss. You should avoid the neighborhood of cherry and predators, as well as other crustaceans - crabs, crayfish.
The color of cherry shrimp, as the name implies, is red. Thanks to the work of breeders? there are many variations of its saturation and shades. By the way, it can vary depending on the conditions in the aquarium - food, lighting, neighbors, water temperature, soil color (the color intensifies on a dark bottom), and so on. From stress caused, for example, by the threat from predatory fish, shrimp discolor.
Cherries are easy to distinguish by sex - males are smaller and more fussy, their color is weaker. In contrast, females are slower and calmer and brighter in color.
yellow shrimp
The yellow shrimp was developed in Japan from the wild neocardine species in the mid-2000s. By the way, cherry shrimp was bred from the same wild species.
The yellow shrimp got its name due to the color, which is rare for shrimp. In size, it, like a relative cherry, is small - 2.5-3 cm. The range of temperatures acceptable for keeping is slightly more than that of that one - 22-28 degrees Celsius.
Female yellow shrimp are larger than males, their color is rather dark yellow and the underbelly is curved, so they are easy to distinguish from males. In addition, females may have a stripe along the back, which males do not have.
One variation of yellow shrimp is neon yellow, distinguished by a bright yellow stripe on its back.
Riley shrimp
A mutation of the cherry shrimp, bred in 1996. There are different color variations; The classic Riley shrimp has a bright red tail, head and chest, and a transparent body. Adult females have a yellow spot on the neck. The size of these shrimps is 2-2.5 cm, females are slightly larger than males.
Chocolate, white, blue neocardina
The females of this species have a rich brown color, while the males are much paler. The size ranges from 2.5 (males) to 3 (females) cm. The temperature suits them from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius.
Neocardina Shanjagensis white is sold under the name Snowball or White Pearl, obtained thanks to caviar that looks like snowballs. Unpretentious shrimps, transparent whitish, look best on dark ground. Females are more decorative than males. The temperature suits them from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.
An interesting feature of these shrimp, which distinguishes them from all other neocardines, is the absence of a larval stage.
Neocardina Shanjagensis blue. You can meet other names - Blue Ice, Blue Pearl. This is the second color variation of Neocardina Shanjarentis. It has a bluish color with a pearl, as if hidden in front of the calf. Also unpretentious to the conditions of detention.
Other shrimp
In addition to such common neocardines, there are other interesting types of shrimp.
Amano shrimp. These shrimp reach a length of 4-5 cm. Their color is unusual, on a transparent or light green body there are small red-brown spots or broken lines, as well as a light stripe on the back. Amano are masters of disguise, their ability to mimicry is so great that sometimes they cannot be seen at all at the bottom.
Females in Amano shrimp are much larger than males and wider than them at sexually mature age.
A distinctive feature that makes these shrimps desirable inhabitants of the aquarium is that they eat threadworm, algae, which is not easy to overcome. The optimum water temperature ranges from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.
Green shrimp. Sometimes it is also called dark green shrimp. Among aquarists, she became known in 2007. It is distinguished by a rich, dark green color and a size of 3-3.5 cm. It is easy to confuse it with Babaulti, a shrimp similar in color.
Dark green prefers water with a temperature of 20 to 28 degrees Celsius. Females are larger, thicker and darker in color than males. Their caviar is a rich lemon-green color.
Shrimp Babaulti. Also called green algae shrimp, this is true, since most often it is the green shrimp of this species that can be seen in the aquarium. What kind of colors are there for this type of shrimp? They can be blue, red, brown and orange. When stressed, they can instantly change the color of their translucent body.
The size of these shrimp does not exceed 4 cm, females are larger than males and in adulthood have a yellow-green spot on the neck.
Bee
She is a black bee or a crystal black shrimp. It has a black and white color and reaches 2.5-3 cm. It is sensitive to the parameters of water and its pollution, it needs water with pH 6.5-7.5, GH 4-6, KH 1-2, temperature 18-26 degrees Celcius. It is important to create just such conditions for the black bee, therefore it cannot be called easy to keep.
Blue bee shrimp. Its size and optimal keeping conditions are similar to cherry shrimp.
The shrimp was first introduced in 2008. Despite the name, the color can be not only blue, but also purple or brown. Because of this, it can be difficult to determine the exact type of shrimp, because most of the bees are caught in the wild, and its breeding has not yet become widespread.
The sex of bee shrimp can only be determined in adulthood. The main difference between females and males is that their lower abdomen is curved, and the female herself is larger.
Red Crystal and Indian Glass
Red crystal. Sometimes it is called the red bee. It originally appeared as a mutation of the black bee. This is a beautiful shrimp with white and red stripes, the size is 2.5-3 cm. It is not easy to keep it, like its progenitor, it loves soft acidic water with a temperature of 18-26 degrees Celsius, it is demanding on the purity and quality of water.
Indian glass shrimp. Another name - ghost shrimp - she got for her transparent color. However, they can be yellowish or orange. There are small spots on the tail. Females reach 5 cm, males - 3-4 cm. The water temperature for normal life should be 20-29 degrees Celsius.
Shrimp Rosenberg
Huge shrimp, an adult has a size of 13 cm. They can hunt small fish, eat aquarium plants. The water temperature is desirable 26-30 degrees Celsius, high water hardness is required for good shell development.
These shrimp are transparent at a young age, over time the color may change, the transparency decreases, blue stripes may appear on the body.
Rosenberg shrimp are interesting in that their behavior is quite complex, there are mating games.
filterer
Other names are bamboo shrimp, Asian filter shrimp, tree shrimp. It was called a filter feeder due to the legs with cilia-fans, with which the shrimp filters water flows and thus catches food.
Coloring comes in different colors and shades - brown, red, red. The size of an adult is 7-10 cm, the optimum temperature is 22-27 degrees Celsius.
Shrimp Cardinal
Very beautiful small (2-2.5 cm) shrimps of deep red tones with white front legs and dots on the body. They meet infrequently and are not suitable for beginners, as they are demanding on the conditions of detention. The water temperature is recommended from 26 degrees Celsius, Cardinals do not live long in cold water. Also, high water hardness and pH 7-9 are important for them.
You can see the beauty of this type of shrimp in the photo.
Harlequin and Ringed Hand
Like Cardinals, Harlequins are very beautiful. Their rich, contrasting colors combine red, white and black. These shrimp are very small - only 0.6-1.2 cm. They are quite shy and whimsical, therefore it is better for experienced aquarists to keep them. The temperature is preferred from 26 degrees Celsius.
Shrimp Ringed hand. These are large (6-8 cm) marbled beige-brown shrimp with long claws of red and rusty hues. Thanks to the claws, they got their name. These shrimp are not as peaceful as many others - they often fight and can injure small fish. Males are larger than females and reach 8 cm. The temperature for keeping is 20-30 degrees Celsius, they love oxygenated water. They can eat plants.
Ninja
Usually named after the appearance of shrimp, and their names are often very bizarre and unusual. Another one is Ninja. This shrimp was named so because of its ability to quickly change colors and mimicry, allowing it to literally go into invisibility. It is difficult to name the color of a shrimp, because it can change it to almost any other.
It is also called Christmas shrimp, honey shrimp.
The size of the Ninja is normal for shrimp - 2.5-3.5 cm, the optimum keeping temperature is 22-27 degrees Celsius.
Khanka shrimp
It was named after Khanka Island in the Far East. According to the features of the structure and behavior, they are similar to freshwater crayfish. The size of this shrimp is 3-4.15 cm, males are 10-15 mm larger than females, which is generally rare for shrimp.
Khanka shrimp - not a particularly attractive species, grayish-brown translucent color. They have whiskers and claws. They are kept not for beauty, but for the benefits brought to the aquarium. It is desirable to maintain the temperature of the water in which they live, from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius and organize a "change of seasons" - in winter, cool it to 18-20 degrees Celsius.
Chameleon and Pearl Shrimp
Chameleon. Otherwise - Shrimp of the Year. Brown color, light stripes and dark brown spots on the body. These shrimp have powerful claws. Aggressive, it is better not to keep fish with them and create shelters in the aquarium if there are several shrimps. Active in the evening. The temperature is preferred 18-24 degrees Celsius.
Chameleon males are much larger than females, 9-12 cm versus 7 cm.
Pearly shrimp. Relatively small shrimp up to 5 cm in length. There are other names - Sand Shrimp, Marble Shrimp. Peaceful appearance with small claws and pleasant coloration, their body is light greenish or brownish-white in color, covered with white and black dots. Whimsical, love clean water 15-28 degrees Celsius and pH above 7, very sensitive to changes in its parameters.
Japanese river shrimp and black tiger shrimp
These shrimp have a size of 7-8 cm, large orange or brick claws, white "stockings" on the legs and a transverse stripe on the back. The body itself is translucent brownish, with age the color saturation increases.
In general, they are not aggressive, but they can fight for territory, as well as eat sedentary fish and snails. A very unpretentious look, but it is still desirable to maintain the temperature in the range of 26-30 degrees Celsius and saturate the water with oxygen.
Black tiger shrimp. Very beautiful black shrimps with orange or black eyes. Females are slightly larger than males and grow up to 3 cm. They are very difficult to keep, do not tolerate changes in water parameters, which are limited by clear boundaries. The required water temperature for maintenance is 21.5-23.5 degrees Celsius, pH - 7.2-7.4.
Sea shrimp. Species: Doctor
In cooking, it is the salt-water species of shrimp that are used for food. However, consider the most famous inedible species suitable for marine aquariums.
Adult Doctors are 5-6 cm in size. They have an attractive color - a white longitudinal stripe on the back is combined with crimson on the sides. There are also white tendrils.
This shrimp needs a marine aquarium with a temperature of 22-26 degrees Celsius, salt water and high hardness, imitation of a coral reef is desirable. During molting, the content of iodine in the water is desirable.
An interesting feature of the Pacific cleaner shrimp is that they do not have females, all shrimp are born males and only with the passage of age become bisexual, that is, the shrimp is both male and female.
Fire Shrimp Cleaner
These shrimp are very shy and secretive, hiding in shelters in daylight. But over time, they can begin to recognize the owner and take food from his hands.
In matters of keeping, one should be guided by the needs of the desired type of shrimp, take into account the temperature suitable for it, the frequency of water changes and other parameters.
Many people need hard water with a high calcium content (carbonate hardness in the range of 5-10), because shrimp, like all crustaceans, periodically molt, and in soft water their new shell may not harden enough. Immediately after molting, shrimp have a soft body that is easy to damage, and at first they hide. The old shell of the shrimp is usually eaten.
All shrimp are very sensitive to copper, even small doses can be lethal. In this regard, the shrimp should be moved to another tank if other inhabitants of the aquarium require treatment with copper-containing preparations, or, conversely, treatment in a special quarantine aquarium. Snail pills can also be detrimental to shrimp.
For all medium-sized shrimps, a small (from 10 liters) aquarium is suitable - a shrimp tank with a thick layer of soil in which aquarium plants will take root well. You should choose their unpretentious species, since in shrimp it is not necessary to establish the supply of CO 2, so beloved by plants. Suitable Javanese moss, hornwort, wallisneria, Thai fern and others. In a large aquarium, shrimps simply "get lost" because of their miniature size. The average stocking density of these crustaceans is 2 shrimp per liter (this is true only for small species).
Most shrimp need a high oxygen content in the water, so it is advisable to have an aerator and turn it on at least at night, when the plants stop emitting O 2 . You also need to remember that as the temperature rises, the level of oxygen decreases, respectively, additional aeration is also needed. And at temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius, shrimp die very easily even with aeration, because protein folds in their bodies.
Thus, there are a huge number of shrimp species, the description of which cannot be fully described. Among these funny and useful animals, both beginners and experienced aquarists will find suitable ones for themselves. The main thing to remember when purchasing shrimp is the simple rules for keeping them, and then these tireless cleaners will serve as orderlies and decoration of the aquarium.
Shrimp are popular among gourmets due to their nutritional value and year-round availability. They are not only eaten separately, but also added to salads and snacks. Shrimps are widespread in all the world's seas and many species live in fresh water. These are small crustaceans, the size of which does not exceed 30 centimeters. In Russia, shrimp are mainly found in the Far East, where there are over 100 species of them. But commercial shrimp are usually divided not by species, but by the size of individuals, it is sorted by size that they go on sale. But the smallest species (up to 7 cm) are deep-sea shrimps.
The history of eating shrimp goes back many centuries. Even ancient culinary experts surprised their masters with magnificent baked shrimp from Minturo, Smyrna or Alexandria.
Shrimps are rich in proteins and valuable amino acids, and also have a large amount of iodine, which is needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. They also contain all fat-soluble vitamins: K, A, E, D.
Shrimps contain potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, cobalt, manganese, copper, molybdenum, fluorine, zinc, vitamins C, B1, B2, B9, PP, provitamin A and B-carotene.
Thus, shrimp are one of the most valuable sources of protein and minerals.
On a note: The amount of iodine in shrimp is 100 times more than in beef!
Shrimps are rich in calcium, which is useful for the functioning of the thyroid gland, immune system, kidneys, muscle system, blood synthesis and bone building. Potassium is essential for the cardiovascular system. Zinc stimulates the production of hormones, improves skin, strengthens nails. Sulfur also has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails, regulates the function of sweat and sebaceous glands, strengthens the immune system, reduces allergies, participates in the construction of connective tissue, including the valvular apparatus of the heart, membranes of venous and arterial vessels, articular surfaces.
Shrimp have a very high level of healthy cholesterol, as well as a lot of copper.
Composition of shrimp
in 100 grams of product
| The nutritional value | vitamins | macronutrients | trace elements |
|
Calorie content 87 kcal Proteins 18.3 gr Fats 1.2 gr Carbohydrates 0.8 gr Water 78.2 gr Saturated fatty acids 0.2 g Cholesterol 160 mg Ash 1.5 gr |
Vitamin A 0.015 mg |
Calcium 100 mg Magnesium 60 mg Sodium 150 mg Potassium 260 mg Phosphorus 220 mg Sulfur 210 m |
Iron 2.2 mg Zinc 2.1 mg Iodine 110 mcg Copper 850 mcg Manganese 0.11 mg Chromium 55 mcg Fluorine 100 mcg Molybdenum 10 mcg Cobalt 12 mcg Nickel 11 mcg |
On a note: The best shrimp are fresh-frozen: they not only taste better, but also last longer. Such shrimp can be distinguished by a gray-brown color.
What good shrimp look like
High-quality frozen shrimp are slightly curved, elastic, and their meat has a light gray color. The shell may be slightly darkened near the cephalothorax and on the back (these spots should disappear after cooking). Some shrimp may have caviar. The product should smell like the sea without any unpleasant odors. All shrimp in the package must be whole, the number of broken antennae and tails must not exceed 5% of the total weight. In addition, the container should not contain anything other than shrimp and ice.
Boiled shrimp should be curved, and the color of the flesh is pink with various shades. The meat should be firm and juicy. The taste and aroma of shrimp is characteristic, there should not be any foreign tastes and odors.
What bad shrimp look like
Poor quality shrimp may have an unpleasant odor. Violation is damage to the shell and antennae. If the structure of the meat is loose, and its color is gray, yellow or uneven, then the product is spoiled. Do not take shrimp with gray spots on the shell and body, as well as with blackened heads.
On a note: All shrimp in the package must be the same size!
How to determine the quality of shrimp
Carefully examine the package: it must contain the full name of the company, as well as the contact details of the manufacturer, the weight of the package and the number of shrimp in one kilogram must be indicated
On a note: The shrimp packaging should indicate the number of shrimp per 1 kg or 450 g (that's 1 pound).
If you buy shrimp by weight, the icing on them should not be too thick. Shrimps packaged in bags should not be in the snow, because this is a sure sign of re-freezing.
On a note: Superiority in quality today is occupied by European suppliers of shrimp.
Conditional classification of edible shrimp:
- Classic shrimp (various types of shrimp, packaged according to size).
- King prawns.
- Tiger chrimp.
In nature, there are over 2 thousand species of shrimp. However, all of them can be divided into conditional groups according to their habitat. There are warm-water and cold-water shrimp, as well as marine and freshwater ones.
Shrimp living in cold waters
Cold-water sea shrimps are very diverse. More than 100 species are found in Russia in the Far East. But the most popular are the northern red shrimp Pandalus borealis, which live in Arctic waters. Their subspecies are the northern chilim Pandalus goniurus and the red comb shrimp Pandalus hypsinotus. These are very small, but tasty - a great snack for beer.
Warm water shrimp
Warm water shrimp live in the warm tropical waters of the southern seas and oceans. Such shrimp are not only caught in the natural environment, but also bred on special farms. There are few types of warm-water shrimp. The tiger shrimp Penaeus kerathurus, which lives in the Atlantic Ocean, is very popular. The black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon is also known. It is common on the coasts of Asian countries. In the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus is found, as well as the white shrimp Panaeus Vannamei, also called the king shrimp.
Shrimp living in salt water
Also found in the Atlantic Ocean are southern pink Penaeus notialis, red royal Plesiopenaeus emardsianus, serrated Palaemon serratus, northern pink Penaeus duorarum, northern white Penaeus setiferus shrimp, pink deep-sea Aristeus antennatus, southern pink Penaeus notiatis shrimp. Black Sea grass shrimp Palaemon adspersus and sand shrimp Crangon crangon are found in large numbers in the Baltic, Mediterranean and Black Seas Spotted deep-sea shrimp Pandalus platyceros and captain shrimp Penaeus chinensis are found on the coasts of Japan and China. And the Chilean shrimp Heterocarpus reedei can only be found off the coast of Chile.
This is interesting: In nature, there are very unusual types of shrimp. So, the Spongikol shrimp lives in glass sponges. This shrimp climbs inside the sponge even at the larval stage, then grows up and, due to its size, can already crawl out. And the mantis shrimp is distinguished by its eyes: it is able to see in infrared, optical, polarized and ultraviolet light at the same time. In Asia, the ninja shrimp lives, capable of changing color, mimicking the environment. Red-nosed shrimp with a long reddish nose live in the waters of the Indian Ocean.
freshwater shrimp
But shrimp are not only in sea and ocean waters. Many species also live in fresh waters. The largest and most popular tropical warm water freshwater shrimp is the giant Macrobrachium rosenbergii. They are better known as king prawns. These shrimp are found in Southeast Asia, China, Indy, Northern Australia and the islands of Oceania. Interestingly, living in fresh water, king prawns prefer to breed in salt water.
Freshwater shrimp, found in Russia, are descendants of the inhabitants of the Earth of the pre-glacial period. For example, in the Caucasus, in streams and cave lakes, there is a blind troglocar shrimp Troglocaris anophthalmus Kollar.
Species Leander, Paratya, Caridina live in the Far East. The shrimp Palaemon superbus and Leander modestus Heller are found in Lake Khanka. Both Leander modestus Heller and Caridina denticulata sinensis Kemp live in the Amur. L. Paucudens De Haan shrimp live on Sakhalin. The shrimp Paratya porealis Wolk lives in the Ulunchi River. The eastern river shrimp lives in fresh water bodies of the Astrakhan region.
This is interesting: The homeland of the eastern river shrimp, which lives in the Astrakhan reservoirs, is Vietnam, Japan and China. However, having arrived in Russia along with batches of Vietnamese fish, the oriental shrimp successfully adapted to the harsh Russian climate and has been living in our country since the 1950s.
| How to cook shrimp |
How long to cook shrimp
The main thing during cooking is to prevent the meat from becoming rubbery. In order not to digest the product, you need to consider what type of shrimp you purchased: warm-water or cold-water.
On a note: Large warm-water shrimp cook longer than small cold-water shrimp.
Ordinary small Atlantic shrimp are cooked for no more than 2 minutes, and large warm-water ones should be in boiling water for about 3 minutes. The difference is small, but it matters a lot.
A characteristic sign of the readiness of shrimp is a matte pink color and a slightly transparent shell. After the shrimp are cooked, some chefs recommend not removing them immediately from the water, but leaving them to brew for 15-20 minutes in the resulting broth.
On a note: When the shrimp are cooked, do not rush to remove them from the broth, but let it brew for 20 minutes.
If you bought not freshly frozen, but boiled-frozen shrimp, then it is enough to throw them into a pot of boiling water without defrosting and wait until they float to the surface.
How to improve the taste of shrimp
In Italy, shrimp are sometimes boiled in milk or cream. In China and Japan, green tea leaves are added to the water when boiling shrimp, which allows you to beat off the fishy smell.
Russia also has its own interesting approaches to cooking shrimp. For example, methods of boiling shrimp in beer and even in vodka are known!
The best additives for shrimp during cooking to improve the taste and aroma of the dish are black pepper, bay leaf, lemon, lime, vegetable oil, salt, garlic, tarragon, dill, cloves.
On a note: Shrimp can be cooked in a microwave oven, for this it is enough to put frozen shrimp without adding water for 5-12 minutes, depending on the power of the FSH radiation.
| How to clean shrimp |
In stores, you can find ordinary unpeeled shrimp, and shrimp without a head and even without a shell.
On a note: On average, 1 kg of peeled shrimp is approximately equal to 3 kg of unpeeled.
Some shrimp recipes may call for pre-cleaning before cooking. In others, on the contrary, it is required to cook the whole shrimp. Even the recipes of some dishes provide for the use of shrimp along with the shell or tails. Also, when frying or baking, heads are often left on shrimp bodies. However, if you still need to clean the shrimp, there are several ways.
Shrimp Cleaning Methods
You can start the cleaning process by separating the head, and then, pulling the tail, carefully remove the shell with paws and at the same time pull out the insides.
Another way is to start with the legs, and then separate the head and shell. If there are caviar on the paws, it is better to remove it beforehand.
On a note: Shrimp caviar can also be eaten: it is both tasty and healthy.
There are ways to clean shrimp using kitchen utensils: cut off the paws with scissors, and cut the shell along the outer bend with a small knife, push its halves apart and pry the insides with a point. Then the meat is taken out and rinsed.
Note: To easily peel boiled shrimp, dip them in cold water for a few seconds after cooking.
Using shrimp shells
You can make soup broth from shrimp. There are several ways to prepare this broth. Firstly, the shells can simply be boiled in a saucepan with spices. There should be a little water, just to cover the contents. After boiling, reduce the heat and simmer the contents for about 30 minutes. After boiling, wait until the water has cooled down.
The second way is to pre-wash and dry the shrimp shells in the oven at 200 degrees for about 20 minutes. After cooking with seasonings, onions and garlic until boiling, then reduce heat, add herbs and cook for another hour. After cooking, leave for 30 minutes.
On a note: Before using the shrimp shell broth to make soup, you need to strain it through cheesecloth.
| Shrimp market in Russia |
Cold water shrimp are harvested in Scandinavia, Russia and Canada. Suppliers of Atlantic cold-water shrimp to the Russian market are Canada, Denmark, Norway, Greenland, Russia, the USA and Japan. Sold mostly fresh frozen.
Warm-water shrimp are supplied to the domestic market by such countries as China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ecuador. They are sold in three types - frozen in a block of ice, individually frozen with a head and without a head.
In 2010, two main types of shrimp were supplied to Russia: Pandalidae shrimp accounted for 67.8% of turnover by weight and 52.8% by price, while Penaeus shrimp accounted for 30.5% and 44.9% respectively. At the same time, Pandalidae turned out to be 47% cheaper than Penaeus.
In 2007-2010, the average increase in shrimp imports to Russia amounted to 6%. In 2010, import volumes almost returned to the pre-crisis level of 2008 and amounted to $199,000,000.
The statistics of average monthly deliveries from 2007 to 2010 showed a drop in the total volume and price of delivery in 2009 to an average annual level of $3.09 per 1 kg of goods. In 2010, there were obvious sales growth trends, with the average annual price up 4% since 2008.
Russia is one of the world leaders in terms of shrimp consumption. In 2013, shrimp were supplied to Russia from 24 countries!
The main importers of shrimp to Russia are Canada, China and Denmark. The largest supplier of shrimp to Russia is Canada (more than 40% of all imports), but the share of China is growing every year (from 2.7% in 2007 to 22.8% in 2010).
most expensive shrimp shipped from Portugal, Nicaragua and Vietnam.
Relatively cheap shrimp are from Italy, Spain, Japan, the Netherlands, Estonia, Iceland, Tunisia.
Main Suppliers imported shrimp to the Russian market: Albatross, Polar Seafood Russia, Vichunai-Rus, New Alaska, Agama Royal Greenland, Sea Prod.
Most companies on the Russian shrimp market are representative offices of foreign producers. In addition to sales, these enterprises, as a rule, carry out processing and packaging of products.
Shrimp are marine crustaceans that range in size from two to thirty centimeters depending on the species, and there are just over a hundred species of shrimp. Shrimps are sold raw or boiled-frozen in packages, while raw shrimp are dark green or gray in color, and processed are pink. Frozen boiled shrimp, which are sold in packs, do not require long-term cooking, they can simply be thawed or scalded with boiling water and thrown into soups, paellas, curries and other hot dishes at the very end of cooking so that their meat remains tender.
king prawns
There are about eight types of king prawns, their length ranges from 20 to 25 cm, and their weight is from 30 to 40 grams. King shrimp differ from ordinary shrimp in having a short beak and a massive back and, accordingly, they have more meat - and it differs in taste, a little sweeter, almost like crabs. King prawns are sold frozen (and peeled) and fresh in most supermarkets.
Shrimp paste
A homogeneous paste of shrimp meat and salt (you can make it at home, resin boiled shrimp meat with a pinch of sea salt in a blender) of pale pink color is added to curries and sauces.
Large shrimp with tails
Large shrimp are royal, their size reaches twenty to twenty-five centimeters, but even among ordinary ones you can find larger individuals - these are sold frozen, for example, under the Agama brand. Often shrimp are not completely cleaned, only the shell is removed, leaving the tails. These are great for grilling in the form of kebabs - they are convenient to hold by the tail.
Marinated shrimp
Marinated shrimp are sold in supermarkets in the form of canned food, but it is better to cook them yourself: mix raw or boiled shrimp with lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil and spices and leave for half an hour or an hour. Raw shrimp then need to be fried, for example on a grill, and boiled shrimp can be immediately added to salads, soups and other dishes.
Cleaned boiled shrimp
Boiled peeled shrimp of various sizes are sold frozen in supermarkets, such are found completely peeled, and some leave a tail, which is convenient to hold with your hands. However, shrimp are easy to clean: for this, with a knife with a corrugated blade from the head to the tail of the boiled shrimp, you need to make a longitudinal incision along the ridge, cutting through the shell. Then remove the shell, pick it up with a knife and pull out the dark thread of the intestine that runs along the shrimp back - this is the esophagus. And optionally leave or remove the chitinous tail.
dried shrimp
Salted and dried shrimp have a strong smell, and you need to add them to food in microscopic doses, for example, to flavor soups and hot dishes - as a condiment. Before using, it is still a good idea to soak them in warm water, and then rinse to remove excess salt.
Tiger chrimp
Tiger shrimp are the largest shrimp, reaching more than thirty centimeters in length and weighing an average of about 650 grams. From ordinary and king prawns, tiger prawns outwardly differ in the presence of dark stripes on the shell and the taste of meat - it is tender in them and most of all resembles crayfish meat. And you need to cook it no longer than two or three minutes, so that it does not become rubber.
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