noun
whiteleg shrimp; Pacific white shrimp
Refers specifically to Litopenaeus vannamei, a widely farmed shrimp species. Often seen in seafood contexts, menus, and aquaculture discussions.
この店のバナメイエビはとても新鮮だ。
The whiteleg shrimp at this shop is very fresh.
バナメイエビは養殖が盛んなエビの一種です。
Whiteleg shrimp is a type of shrimp that is widely farmed.
ブラックタイガー (black tiger shrimp) is another common farmed shrimp, but it is a different species (Penaeus monodon) with a darker shell and slightly different flavor.
エビ is the general term for shrimp/prawn. バナメイエビ specifies the whiteleg shrimp variety.
From the species name 'vannamei' (named after Dutch researcher Van Name) combined with エビ (shrimp). The spelling バナメイ reflects the Japanese approximation of the foreign name.