Mantis Shrimp
Also known as：Mantis prawn
Oratosquilla oratoria
- Origin
- Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea
- Season
- Apr–Jun
- Appearance
- A flat elongated cylindrical body with tile-like hard armor, large compound eyes and well-developed swimmerets; grey-green with red spots. A common inshore crustacean.
Content compiled by the Xian Mancang team
Introduction
品种介绍Mantis shrimp — 'pikipraw' in the north, 'lai-ur-shrimp' in the south. Most succulent in late spring (around Qingming festival), when females carry roe — the hot seasonal seafood of coastal cities.
Main origins: Bohai Bay and Zhoushan; circulates both live and iced.
Holding Environment
暂养环境Xian Mancang holding advisor: temperature, salinity, water quality and density references per species — feel free to exchange holding experience.
Hold at 15–22°C, salinity 25–32‰, DO ≥5 mg/L, sandy bottom preferred, density 10–20 kg per cubic meter.
Hold 2–4 days; highly stress-prone — transport needs low temperature, oxygenation and minimal jostling. Parameters above are reference values — adjust to water quality and season.
Economic Value
经济价值A seasonal bestseller: spring roe-bearing females ('full-roe') command several times the price of ordinary sizes. Strong social-media appeal (the 'shelling shrimp' trend) drives both foodservice and retail. Graded by weight; large and roe-heavy items carry premiums; small sizes go into frozen mantis-meat processing.
Culinary & Commercial Use
烹饪与商业用途Salt-pepper mantis shrimp is the street-stall headliner — crispy outside, tender inside; steaming and salted-water boiling keep the natural sweetness, with roe eaten alongside the yellow.
Foodservice: the spring traffic-builder for seafood stalls and barbecue joints; processors offer frozen cooked mantis meat for balls and fillings.
Buying Guide
选购指南For roe-bearing females, look for a translucent roe line and glossy grey-green color; males should be large with strong claws. Freshness shows in swimming and touch response; loose dead flesh must be avoided; stiff shells that spring back mean fresh, soft or sticky shells do not.
Market Reference
规格行情Reference price: live 25–60 CNY/jin (roe-bearing females +30–50%). Fattest in the Apr–Jun season; winter supply is scarce and pricey; remote inland markets carry transport premiums.
Mantis Shrimp · FAQs
How do I pick the freshest Mantis Shrimp?
For roe-bearing females, look for a translucent roe line and glossy grey-green color; males should be large with strong claws. Freshness shows in swimming and touch response; loose dead flesh must be avoided; stiff shells that spring back mean fresh, soft or sticky shells do not.
What are the live-holding requirements for Mantis Shrimp?
Hold at 15–22°C, salinity 25–32‰, DO ≥5 mg/L, sandy bottom preferred, density 10–20 kg per cubic meter.
What is the current market price of Mantis Shrimp?
Reference price: live 25–60 CNY/jin (roe-bearing females +30–50%). Fattest in the Apr–Jun season; winter supply is scarce and pricey; remote inland markets carry transport premiums.
How do I cook Mantis Shrimp? What methods work best?
Salt-pepper mantis shrimp is the street-stall headliner — crispy outside, tender inside; steaming and salted-water boiling keep the natural sweetness, with roe eaten alongside the yellow.
Mantis Shrimp · For stock availability and holding consultation, contact us