A typical Penaeus species; gastro-frontal sulcus broad and about one-fifth the length of carapace; orbito-antennal sulcus wide anteriorly, narrowing posterior to below tip of hepatic spine and there widening again into base of spine; gastro-orbital and antennal carinae very prominent, cervical sulcus deep along its whole length; hepatic carina sharp, and antennal and hepatic spines sharp. Rostrum slender, with dental formula 6-10/1-2 (mode 8/2); highest portion of rostrum at level of second or third dorsal tooth. Postrostral carina strong and usually expanded in anterior half, being extended near posterior margin of carapace; median sulcus shallow and narrow; adrostral sulcus narrow posteriorly, tapering to point posteriorly or slightly turning laterally at end.
Distribution:
West Atlantic from the coasts of the Caribbean Sea to southern Brazil, 1-190 m deep.
Remarks:
This species is readily distinguished from the southern pink shrimp, P. notialis Pérez Farfante, by having the narrow adrostral sulcus, which also makes this species distinct from the northern brown shrimp, P. aztecus Ives from the east coast of America and the Gulf of Mexico.