Questions about Red Claw Macros

[Beansly]

Hello everyone! I'm a new member (though I've been reading this website for at least a year now), and finally, after doing some redistributing in my tanks, opened up my 125 gallon and ordered 8 red claw macros from the shrimp store. I'm counting the minutes until their arrival! Anyway, I have some questions I couldn't answer in a search on the forums. One, are macrobrachiums climbers, as I currently have sized ceiling grating for tank covering under the lighting. Also, the tank is pretty large and there is lots of driftwood and rocks. Will there still only be one "alpha" male, or will the size allow for more than one? Will the tank size and hidey holes allow for babies to grow up, or will they fall prey to adult aggression (i have a couple of 10 gallon tanks for babies if this is the case)? Thanks in advance for any replies, and sorry if these have been answered before (I did try to search). And thanks, Mustafa, for an awesome, informative site!

[Mustafa]

Hello everyone!

Hello!

One, are macrobrachiums climbers,

No. No shrimp is a "climber." They are fully aquatic animals and don't like leaving the water. The only reason they leave the water is if the water parameters are not to their liking. They literally try to run away from the bad water. So, if your water is fine, and it's more likely that it will be in such a large tank, then they will not climb out.

Also, the tank is pretty large and there is lots of driftwood and rocks. Will there still only be one "alpha" male, or will the size allow for more than one?

There is usually only one alpha male per tank, but since I have never kept these shrimp in such a large tank it's up in the air if you would get another one in such a setup. Just report back to us if it happens.

Will the tank size and hidey holes allow for babies to grow up, or will they fall prey to adult aggression (i have a couple of 10 gallon tanks for babies if this is the case)?

Yes, if you have lots of hiding spaces (including thickets of plants), then you will have more than enough offspring that will make it. I would not be surprised if all the offspring of your first batch made it in such a tank.

Thanks in advance for any replies, and sorry if these have been answered before (I did try to search).

Macros have not been discussed as in depth as dwarf shrimp, so I am not surprised that you did not come up with too many answers. That will hopefully change in the near future as macros are fascinating creatures in their own right.

And thanks, Mustafa, for an awesome, informative site!

My pleasure. Glad you like it.