Penaeus is a genus of prawns, including the giant tiger prawn (P. monodon), the most important species of farmed crustacean worldwide.

The genus has been reorganised following a proposition of Pérez Farfante and Kensley based on morphological differences, in particular the genital characteristics of these animals,[1] although this revision has not been universally accepted.

[2] Following the revision, many species formerly in the genus Penaeus (members of which are listed to the right) have been reassigned to new genera in the family Penaeidae: Farfantepenaeus, Fenneropenaeus, Litopenaeus, and Marsupenaeus.

[1] The following table gives an overview: A few more species that are sometimes given as Penaeus spp.

are actually assigned to the genus Melicertus: [dubious – discuss]