Macrobrachium books/articles

Kaycei · Post by **Kaycei** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:41 pm

I searched for Macrobrachium books but didn't find a previous thread. Does anyone know of a good book or other source of information covering the care and breeding of the various species of Macrobrachium? While I'm not 100% sure my shrimp are a Macro species, it seems likely. I would like some specific information on the breeding process. I have tried google and not come up with much. Any help would be good. Thank you.

Post by **Mustafa** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:27 pm

There are no books or articles in existence (as sad as it is). I guess I could write an article or two in the future as I have had (and still have) quite a few Macrobrachium species. Breeding depends on what kind of macro you have. There are species who produce larvae, which need brackish/saltwater to survive and grow, and species that produce either very advanced benthic larvae or almost fully developed miniature versions of themselves in complete freshwater. Check the shrimp varities pages for a few macro species listed there. I am keeping a few more species right now and will probably put up their species descriptions soon.

As we have determined in another thread that you have Macrobrachium rosenbergii, it would be helpful for you to know that that species produces larvae that need to be transferred into brackish water. There are quiete a few threads about this process in this forum, so performing a search would prove fruitful.

As long as you give them clean water, food and space, they will breed sooner or later. If the tank is large enough with lots of hiding places (such as plants) then enough young will survive. However, it's best to transfer a macro female to a separate tank right before the young are about to hatch. Once the eggs have hatched, you can transfer the female back into the main tank. You don't have to worry about the female eating her young (at least not in the first few days) as she instictively protects the young instead of eating them. In effect she is demonstrating a sort of broodcare.

Hope this helps for now. Articles, book etc. to follow soon.

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:32 am

There is extensive litterature on the M. Rosenbergii as they are raised commercially. PM me and I can forward you a manual.

Kaycei · Post by **Kaycei** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:32 am

Thank you again for the information. If she starts hanging upside down again I will transfer her to another set-up. I was a little startled when I first saw her hanging around upside down, then she had eggs. The whole thing caught me off gaurd. I'll get back to you on the manual. Thanks again on the id.

Post by **Mustafa** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:49 am

badflash wrote:There is extensive litterature on the M. Rosenbergii as they are raised commercially. PM me and I can forward you a manual.

I think Kaycei was asking about articles/books that describe keeping macros in the aquarium. There are none so far in English as far as I know. Of course, there is a bunch of literature on how to culture M. rosenbergii in large ponds as food animals. I guess that's better than nothing for now and gives at least some insight that would be relevant for the aquarium hobbyist.

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:22 am

I have some stuff I've written up I could post. I've corresponded with a fellow named Dan Spotts, who is a commercial breeder. He published an aricle:

http://www.miami-aquaculture.com/sm%20s ... crobra.htm

He runs Miami Aqua-Culture. Please don't bug him unless you want to buy 5000 1/4" juvies. He is a commercial breeder and sells to Shrimp Farmers around the USA.

Babies require constant care and feeding 3 times a day.

One of ourt members documented his failed adventure. Seems he got to the same stage I got to on my amanos, and the project failed at the last molt.