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Giant River Prawn
Macrobrachium rosenbergii
📍 Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia) - wild-caught and commercially farmed
The Giant River Prawn is a large, robust freshwater shrimp prized for its impressive size and hardy nature. Adults display a translucent to brownish coloration with distinctive long claws and antennae, making them visually striking in larger aquariums. These prawns are significantly larger than ornamental shrimp varieties and require substantial space and specialized care.
Care Guide
Diet
Giant River Prawns are omnivorous detritivores that graze on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter. Supplement with high-quality sinking pellets (Hikari, Fluval Bug Bites), blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, carrot), and occasional protein sources like bloodworms or small crustaceans. Feed sparingly 2-3 times weekly, removing uneaten food within 24 hours.
Behavior
These prawns are primarily nocturnal and spend daylight hours hiding in caves, driftwood, or dense vegetation. They are solitary or territorial and will fight with other adult prawns; housing multiple individuals requires very large tanks with abundant shelter. Molting occurs every 4-8 weeks and leaves them vulnerable; provide hiding spots during this period.
Breeding
Giant River Prawns require brackish or saltwater conditions for larval development, making successful breeding in freshwater aquariums extremely difficult or impossible. Females produce large clutches of eggs (500-10,000) but larvae are planktonic and require marine rearing. Most aquarium specimens are wild-caught or farm-raised juveniles.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful algae-eater; avoid large cichlids that may prey on prawns
Tiny, fast-moving fish; too small for prawn to threaten
Peaceful nano fish; occupy different water zones
May compete for food and territory; separate if aggression occurs
Smaller shrimp may be predated upon; provide ample hiding spots
Common Diseases
Molting Failure / Incomplete Ecdysis
Prawn unable to shed exoskeleton completely; stuck in old shell; lethargy; loss of appetite
Ensure adequate calcium and mineral content via GH booster or mineral supplements; maintain stable water parameters; provide soft substrate and hiding spots; increase humidity by misting; may require manual assistance in severe cases
Bacterial Infection / Shell Disease
Soft spots on exoskeleton; discoloration; lesions; cloudy appearance; lethargy
Perform 30-50% water change; improve water quality and reduce ammonia/nitrite; add Indian almond leaves or tannins for antibacterial properties; isolate if severely infected; avoid copper-based treatments
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy; loss of appetite; discoloration; neurological symptoms; death
Perform immediate large water change (50-75%); use copper-free medications and fertilizers; test water for copper; use RO water if tap water is contaminated; activated carbon may help remove residual copper
Parasitic Infection (Vorticella / Epistylis)
White fuzzy coating on body and appendages; lethargy; difficulty molting; reduced feeding
Improve water quality and increase aeration; perform daily 25% water changes; add salt (1-2 tsp per 10 gallons) temporarily; increase temperature slightly to 26-28 C; use formalin-based treatments cautiously (copper-free); provide tannins via botanicals
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - detritus, algae, biofilm, plant matter, small invertebrates
- lifespan
- 3-4 years
- max size
- 20 cm (8 in)
- tank size
- 55 gallons minimum for single adult; 75+ gallons recommended
- temperament
- peaceful but territorial with conspecifics
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8-15 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)