Macrobrachium rosenbergii

A unique and fascinating addition to any aquarium is the Macrobrachium rosenbergii, also referred to as the giant river prawn. This striking crustacean is an intriguing addition to your aquatic setup in addition to being a visual standout. The enormous river prawn, which is well-known for its size and eye-catching appearance, can easily take center stage in your tank.

The Macrobrachium rosenbergii, a native of Southeast Asia, is well-known for its remarkable claws and vivid colors. It is a flexible option for many aquarium enthusiasts as it grows well in a range of freshwater habitats. These prawns can get up to 12 inches long and become fairly large if given the proper care and environment.

The way these prawns behave is one of their most fascinating qualities. They are renowned for being gregarious and active at times. It can be interesting and instructive to observe how they interact with one another and their surroundings. However, in order to maintain a peaceful and healthy tank environment, you must give them plenty of room and hiding places.

Experienced or novice aquarists alike can discover the fascinating world of crustaceans with the help of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. This enormous river prawn can flourish in your aquarium and bring a bit of the exotic into your collection if given the proper care.

Habitat

The original natural distribution range was restricted to the Indo-Pacific region, which included northern Australia, all of Southeast Asia, and India.

However, this shrimp was brought and started to be grown in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea), New Zealand, Africa, and America in the Caribbean region due to its success as a commercial food product.

Aquarium enthusiasts find Macrobrachium rosenbergii, also referred to as the giant river prawn, to be an intriguing species because of its remarkable size and unusual behaviors. It is a freshwater crustacean that adds movement and visual appeal to any tank. Its active scavenging habits also add a little bit of mystery. This article will go over the necessary maintenance guidelines, tank mates, and habitat requirements for Macrobrachium rosenbergii to help you provide a healthy home for these amazing fish in your own aquarium.

Description

Macrobrachium rosenbergii stands out due to its striking size as well as its contrasting coloring. The majority color is brown, but dominant males have blue undertones. The bodies are lighter when they are younger.

Males go through three stages of maturation. The "small male" is the first; it has tiny claws with a clear shell. The second is referred to as "red-handed," has orange or red claws, and is up to 1.5 shrimp body length. The third and last stage is called "blue-armed," in which the size is double that of the shrimp and the claws turn bright blue or light blue.

A rigid social structure exists among the populace. When a "blue-armed" male is in a group in a particular location, he prevents other males from transitioning to the next stage. Only when the adult "blue-armed" male vanishes from the population will they be able to rise in status. They are sexually active and capable of procreating at all three stages.

They can live a little bit longer in the artificial environment of aquariums than they can in the wild, where life expectancy is only about 1.5 years.

This species is nomadic. Because of the peculiarities of reproduction, the shrimp travels over 1000 km along the river and back in its comparatively short life. While macrobrachiums inhabit freshwater environments, their egg and larval stages necessitate exposure to seawater.

Behavior and compatibility

A wandering shrimp with an unfriendly attitude. In large tanks, Rosenberg’s Macrobrachium can live in colonies. However, it is likely that one of the individuals will soon become food for its relatives if it is severely injured or weakened during a skirmish (relevant for males only).

Larger species of fish may sustain wounds or injuries, and smaller fish may end up as food.

Keeping them with large, non-predatory fish that inhabit the water column or the surface is acceptable. You can think about bottom-dwelling catfish that have dependable defense, like Armored or Corydoras.

You will need a large 500-liter aquarium for two to three shrimp. You can turn down the volume if there’s just one guy in the group. The lower tier is given the most attention in the design. Offering a range of suitably sized shelters made of driftwood, piles of stones, and other ornamental items is crucial.

Plants with roots may sustain damage. It is advised to use species, like many aquatic mosses and ferns, that can grow on the surface of driftwood and stones.

This species has successfully acclimated to most tropical regions of the world because water parameters are not significant. Very soft water with low carbonate hardness is the only restriction. Shrimp will suffer from a calcium deficiency in such circumstances, which hinders their ability to grow and form a chitinous shell.

Since shrimp don’t produce a lot of biological load, regular aquarium maintenance and care are required. It is essential to remove accumulated organic waste and periodically replace a portion of the water with fresh water.

Optimal maintenance conditions

Nutrition

They consume anything they can capture or find. Plant-based and protein-rich foods should be balanced in an ideal diet. You can feed large bloodworms and gammarus, dried shrimp, fresh or frozen earthworms, flakes, regular fish food rich in plant additives, and other well-known products. You can even feed granulated or tableted spirulina.

In conclusion, the giant river prawn, or Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is an interesting and adaptable addition to both freshwater and brackish aquariums. It stands out as a great option for enthusiasts wishing to add some excitement to their aquatic setup because of its impressive size and striking appearance. This species can offer a unique viewing experience and endless entertainment due to its engaging behavior and active nature.

But it’s crucial to keep in mind that caring for Macrobrachium rosenbergii necessitates paying close attention to their particular requirements. Larger tanks with lots of hiding places and a clean, well-kept environment are ideal for them. A balanced diet and routine water quality monitoring will help maintain their health and vitality. Furthermore, they are best kept alone or in tanks with other compatible animals due to their aggressive tendencies, which become more pronounced as they get bigger.

All things considered, keeping an aquarium with a giant river prawn presents both difficulties and benefits. Macrobrachium rosenbergii can be an eye-catching and satisfying species to add to your aquatic collection with the correct handling and preparation. This prawn can add a dynamic element to your tank and keep you interested in their care and observation, regardless of your level of experience with aquariums.

Video on the topic

One of the points that affects the growth of Macrobrachium Rosenbergii

The main food base for Macrobrachium Rosenbergii shrimp

Freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium Rosenbergii, briefly about the main thing!!

Yuri"s farm for the Macrobrachium Rosenbergii shrimp, and here everything worked out!