The ovary lies dorsal to the gut and extends from the cephalothorax (head and thorax region) along the entire length of the tail. The determination of ovarian development by hatchery technicians, by illuminating the internal body organs of the female by means of a bright underwater torch beam being passed along her side, only reveals the shadow of the ovary in the tail region and is scored from 1 to 5. 

Line drawing outline of female with ovary in situ.

Colour photo of 3 stages of ovarian development.

Figure 1. (a) The ovary extends the entire length of the prawn. (b) Complete ovaries of females scored from Stages 2 to 4. Note the colour change that is due to an increasing carotenoid content (ovaries have been fixed in 70% alcohol causing a change from an original greenish ting to a reddish-brown color).