Have you seen this ‘worm’ inside your prawns? It is actually a male reproductive organ.

If you are peeling freshly bought prawns and see something white and ‘worm-like’ in your prawns, don’t be alarmed.

What you think might be ‘worms’ are actually male shrimp reproductive organs that are especially found in larger shrimp.

This reproductive organ is known as the prawn testicle. It is milky white in color and consists of an anterior lobe and five lateral lobes.

This reproductive organ is located in the cardiac region dorsal to the hepatopancreas (as seen in the diagram below) under the carapace.

The lobes mentioned above are connected to each other at their inner ends and lead to the next organ, the vas deferens.

You may only see this in larger prawns, as this organ is only visible in larger animals, which are called breeders.

In a 20/30 size Hoso Vannamei shrimp weighing between 34 g and 48 g, the genitalia are more noticeable than in smaller sizes, where it tends to be a translucent organ without pigmentation.

According to a research article from the National Aquaculture Research Institute, Fisheries Research and Education Agency in Japan, this is what the male reproductive organ of the shrimp looks like up close:

This is what the English words mean:

Vas deferens – Vas deferens

精 嚢 – seminal vesicles

Testicles-testes

If you have mistaken this white organ for worms, you are not alone.

Stomper Elizabeth He bought some shrimp in a supermarket on Friday morning (September 25) and was surprised to see the ‘worm-like’ organs when he was cleaning them.

Elizabeth, who thought the organs were worms and expressed her displeasure, sent photos and a video of the unusual sight.

In 2016, a consumer also saw a similar ‘white spot’ on their prawns.

However, according to The Straits Times, authorities clarified that the white spot was actually only part of the shrimp’s reproductive organs and “was not due to a viral disease.”

There is no cause for alarm and the prawns are safe to eat.

So the next time you buy fresh shrimp from the grocery store and see these white organs on your shrimp, know that you have nothing to worry about.

See more photos in the gallery.