The Greasy Prawn (Metapenaeus bennettae) belongs to the prawn family Penaeidae. Common names for Metapenaeus species include school prawns, river prawns, greentails and greasy backs. The rostrum on Metapenaeus species lacks ventral teeth and telson lacks obvious spines. This species is found in eastern Australian waters from Hervey Bay in Queensland to the waters of eastern Victoria. The body of this species is translucent and speckled with dark brown and the antennae are red to brown in colour. This species is very similar in appearance to the School Prawn (Metapenaeus macleayi) and is very difficult to tell apart.
The adults are found in coastal estuaries up to 15km from the estuary mouth and in the ocean they have been recorded to depths of 14 metres. They are predominantly found in coastal estuaries and bays. They are generally found over soft muddy bottoms that are rich in organic detritus. The Greasy Prawn is a very important commercial prawn species in New South Wales and Queensland waters and is often sought after my recreational fishers. The Greasy Prawn (Metapenaeus bennettae) grows to approximately 11 cm total length for females and 8 cm for males.
