Brown Rock Shrimp
Sicyonia brevirostris
Also known as Rock shrimp, Florida rock shrimp
Culinary Profile
Sweet, succulent flavor similar to lobster. Brown rock shrimp are often called the “little shrimp with a big lobster taste,” and can easily be mistaken for a miniature lobster tail.
Firm.
Brown rock shrimp are a good source of selenium, vitamin B12, iron, niacin, and phosphorus.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Brown rock shrimp have a thick, rigid, stony shell. Their bodies are off-white to pinkish in color, with the back surface darker and blotched or barred with lighter shades. Their legs are red to reddish-purple and barred with white. The abdomen has deep transverse grooves and numerous nodules. Short hairs cover their body and appendages. Their eyes are large and deeply pigmented.
Biology
Brown rock shrimp’s growth and development depends on factors such as water temperature and salinity. They can grow up to 6 inches in length, but most brown rock shrimp found in shallow waters are less than 2 inches long. They are highly productive and have a short life span, between 20 and 22 months. Females are able to reproduce when they reach at least ½ to 1 inch in length.
Where They Live
Range Brown rock shrimp are found from Norfolk, Virginia, south through the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Habitat Brown rock shrimp mainly live on sand bottoms in water 80 to 215 feet deep, although they’ve been found in depths to 600 feet. They are active at night and burrow in the sand during the day.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round with peaks from July through October.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from North Carolina to Texas, but mainly in Florida.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, landings of brown rock shrimp totaled 600,00 pounds and were valued at $1 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . It is not uncommon for brown rock shrimp to experience considerable variations from year to year. Brown rock shrimp had limited marketability before 1969, when a machine was developed that could split the rock-hard shell and devein the shrimp. The first major harvest of brown rock shrimp (1,200 pounds) was recorded in 1970 and was valued at $642. Two years later, landings totaled 443,035 pounds and were valued at more than $258,000. Almost all the harvest is sold as meat because brown rock shrimp are difficult to peel.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Brown Rock Shrimp ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc | 1.34 mg | 14 / 111 | 87% |
| Protein | 20.1 g | 29 / 111 | 74% |
| Phosphorus | 214 mg | 44 / 111 | 60% |
| Iron | 0.52 mg | 63 / 111 | 43% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 30 mg | 88 / 104 | 15% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 31 mg | 101 / 104 | 3% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Brown Rock Shrimp.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Brown Rock Shrimp, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in the water column does Brown Rock Shrimp live?
Range Brown rock shrimp are found from Norfolk, Virginia, south through the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Habitat Brown rock shrimp mainly live on sand bottoms in water 80 to 215 feet deep, although they’ve been found in depths to 600 feet. They are active at night and burrow in the sand during the day.
How deep does Brown Rock Shrimp live?
Brown Rock Shrimp inhabits depths of 80 to 215 feet. Range Brown rock shrimp are found from Norfolk, Virginia, south through the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Habitat Brown rock shrimp mainly live on sand bottoms in water 80 to 215 feet deep, although they’ve…
What else is Brown Rock Shrimp called?
Brown Rock Shrimp is also marketed as Rock shrimp, Florida rock shrimp.
What does Brown Rock Shrimp eat?
Brown rock shrimp’s growth and development depends on factors such as water temperature and salinity. They can grow up to 6 inches in length, but most brown rock shrimp found in shallow waters are less than 2 inches long. They are highly productive and have a short life span, between 20 and 22 months. Females are able to reproduce when they reach at least ½ to 1 inch in length.
Sustainability Story
Southeast
Stock Structure
According to the 2018 stock assessment, brown rock shrimp is not subject to overfishing. There is currently not enough information to determine the population size, so it is unknown. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . Brown rock shrimp are highly productive.
Population
The population level is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Gear restrictions, such as fishing prohibitions in certain areas and shrimp fishery access areas, are in place to protect deepwater coral habitat from trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the brown rock shrimp fishery. Managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Trip reports must be submitted for each fishing trip.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 17 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.