Amaebi, or spot prawns, (colloquially known as sweet shrimp) are cold water northern shrimp known and named for their sweet taste. They are the only species of shrimp which are best enjoyed raw, as cooking them will rob them of their full sweetness. They are served on nigiri-zushi, or fingers of sushi rice, and often accompanied by their fried shells and heads.
Amaebi are native to the Canadian Pacific, and are an abundant and fertile species. For those concerned about the sustainability of their sushi, Seafood Watch rates Canadian Pacific Amaebi as a best choice (and the U.S. pacific species as a good alternative). These creatures are hermaphrodites, meaning that they spend the first stage of their lives as males before turning into females.
253.417 SRY