Family: Palaemonidae
Distribution: Macrobrachium assamense originates from East Himalayan waters, Chota Nagpur and Satpura, and mountainous parts of Burma.
PH: 7.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 20 – 30°C (68 – 86°F)
Hardness: 3 (gH); 1.5 (kH)
Description: The male Red Claw Shrimp can reach 8 cm in length; females are shorter at 6 cm. This species has a brownish appearance – but can vary from a light yellow-brown colour to a dark brown – and a transparent carapax; males have huge red tongs with black stripes. Females are usually light green; eggs are a dark green colour.
Diet: The Red Claw Shrimp will eat anything – snails, live or frozen food, dead animals, and more. You might consider feeding it fish food pellets, flake, algae and bio-film. It will even enjoy fresh vegetables from time to time.
Breeding: Macrobrachium assamense have an interesting style of courtship in which the male uses his tongs to hug the female. The female Red Claw Shrimp will carry 20 – 60 fertilised eggs for a couple of weeks before hatching. This species is relatively easy to breed.
Comments: You could keep one couple of Macrobrachium assamense in a 50 litre tank; for larger numbers you will need at least 100 litres. Allow plenty of decoration so the shrimp can create territories and hiding spaces. Be sure there is no easy escape route in your tank, as this species loves to climb and, given the chance, could probably find its way out. A good idea would be to put a cover on the top of your tank.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Macrobrachium assamense will eat small shrimp, snails and fish. This is an aggressive species which should probably be housed in a one-species tank. Red Claw Shrimp will be fine in small groups as long as your tank is big enough to accommodate them.
Related posts:
