Fresh prawn FAQs
Freshness, storage, count, edible yield, cleaning and pickup — the questions Hyderabad prawn buyers ask most.
Will the prawns smell fishy?
Fresh prawns smell faintly of the sea, not "fishy". A strong fishy or ammonia smell means the prawn is old, or has been frozen and thawed. Ours are pond-direct, kept ice-cold, never frozen, and cleaned to order — so they smell clean and fresh when you collect them.
Are the prawns fresh or previously frozen?
Never frozen. They come straight from our own Andhra ponds and stay on an unbroken 0–4 °C cold chain all the way to our Manikonda shop, handed over chilled on ice — not block-frozen and thawed like most "fresh" seafood online.
How should I store them at home?
Keep them in the coldest part of your fridge (0–4 °C) and cook within a day for the best taste and texture. If you need longer, freeze them as soon as you get home — and don't refreeze once they've thawed.
What does "count" mean, and which size should I pick?
Count is the number of prawns per kilogram — a lower count means bigger prawns. Roughly: 40–60 count = medium (great for everyday curry and fry), and 20–30 count = large or jumbo (for grills, roasts and special meals).
How much edible prawn do I actually get from 1 kg?
About 480–550 g of peeled, de-veined prawn from each kilo of whole prawn — the head and shell are roughly half. Our prices are per kilo of whole prawns, the same online as at our shop, and the cleaning is free.
How are they cleaned?
Every pack is peeled & de-veined — shell, head and vein removed — and the cleaning is free, not charged on top. We clean to order, so nothing sits around pre-cut.
Do you add any chemicals or preservatives?
No. No sulphites and no STPP (phosphate soak). We don't use chemicals to plump the prawns, fake their weight, or mask age — just prawns, ice, and clean handling.
How do you keep them cold and safe until you collect them?
An unbroken 0–4 °C cold chain from pond to our shop. The prawns travel chilled on ice and are handed over cold — and every order is backed by our freshness guarantee: not fresh when you collect, full refund.
Are you FSSAI registered?
Yes. ShrimpLi Foods is FSSAI-licensed — licence no. 20126262000270. Every pack carries the FSSAI number, the non-veg mark, ingredients, net weight, storage instructions and a use-by date, exactly as food-safety rules require.
Do you deliver? Where do I pick up?
Online orders are picked up at our Manikonda shop, open every day 7am–9pm, and you pay at the counter by cash, UPI or card. If you'd like it delivered, that's an extra — message us on WhatsApp and we'll arrange it.
How long will the prawns keep?
For the best flavour, cook within about a day of picking them up while they're at their freshest. If you can't, freeze them when you get home and use within a couple of months.