Brown Shrimp
Farfantepenaeus aztecus
Also known as Brownies, Green lake shrimp, Red shrimp, Redtail shrimp, Golden shrimp, Native shrimp, Summer shrimp
Culinary Profile
Flavorful and sweet. Brown shrimp sometimes have a slight iodine taste.
Firm.
Shrimp is low in saturated fat and is a very good source of protein, selenium, and vitamin B12.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Brown shrimp are crustaceans with 10 slender, relatively long walking legs and five pairs of swimming legs located on the front surface of the abdomen. They are grooved on the back surface of the shell and have a well-developed, toothed rostrum (part of their shell) that extends to or beyond the outer edge of the eyes.
Biology
Brown shrimp’s growth depends on factors such as water temperature and salinity, and they can reach up to 7 inches in length. They have a short life span, usually less than two years. Brown shrimp are able to reproduce when they reach about 5 ½ inches long. They spawn in relatively deep water. Females typically release about 500,000 to 1 million eggs near the ocean floor.
Where They Live
Range Brown shrimp are found in the western north Atlantic from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Coast to northwestern Yucatan in Mexico. Habitat Brown shrimp live in shallow water, generally less than 180 feet deep, but can be found in water up to 360 feet deep. As they grow, they migrate seaward to deeper, saltier water.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round, with peaks in the summer.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from North Carolina to Texas.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, landings of brown shrimp totaled 63 million pounds and were valued at $80 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The three species of penaeid shrimp ( white , pink , and brown) make up the vast majority of the shrimp harvested in the southeast. This fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the southeastern United States. Almost all of the brown shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Gulf of America, mainly from Texas and Louisiana. Annual harvests of brown shrimp vary considerably from year to year, primarily due to environmental conditions affecting population size.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Brown 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 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 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
Is Brown Shrimp a lean fish or a rich one?
At 85 kcal per 100 g raw, Brown Shrimp counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
How much protein is in 100 g of Brown Shrimp?
A 100 g raw serving of Brown Shrimp provides 20.1 g of protein — roughly 40% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
Who manages the Brown Shrimp fishery?
NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils manage the brown shrimp fishery, and state resource management agencies are responsible for inshore state waters. In the South Atlantic, managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters.
What does Brown Shrimp eat?
Brown shrimp’s growth depends on factors such as water temperature and salinity, and they can reach up to 7 inches in length. They have a short life span, usually less than two years. Brown shrimp are able to reproduce when they reach about 5 ½ inches long. They spawn in relatively deep water. Females typically release about 500,000 to 1 million eggs near the ocean floor.
Sustainability Story
Southeast
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of brown shrimp: Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Gulf of Mexico stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing (2019). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . The South Atlantic stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing (2018).
Population
The stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Gear restrictions, such as a weak-link in the tickler chain, are in place to protect bottom habitat from trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils manage the brown shrimp fishery, and state resource management agencies are responsible for inshore state waters. In the South Atlantic, managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters.
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.