Macrobrachium amazoniensis, any experience keeping them?

pturley · Post by **pturley** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:43 am

I just ordered six Macros listed as: Macrobrachium amazoniensis. According to the dealer, these are not among the more docile Macros and can be quite aggressive.
EDIT: I have made no efforts to identify the species beyond the dealer's listings.

Does anyone on the boards have experience with this species? Tip or suggestions?

For starters, I am planning on dividing two 20L aquariums into three sections (one each section) with eggcrate diffuser, similar to keeping large and aggressive cichlids. However this isn't too conducive to breeding, which is one of my goals.

Any comments about this species and tips for keeping/breeding them would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Paul E. Turley

Cableguy · Post by **Cableguy** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:40 am

i'd imagine that with a large enough volume of water, ie a huge aquarium/tub/pong you could get a male/female together for awhile even fi they are violently disposed

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:45 am

I've kept a species with a similar name of M. amazonicum. They need acidic soft water like used for CRS. They are agressive to each other & most anything else they can catch. They are not as agressive as M. Rosenbergii. They have a larval stage that matures entirely in fresh water. Give them a combo of shrimp pellets and various veggies.

You can keep 1 male with 2 or three females like other macros. They need caves for when they molt.

Mine looked like this:

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:58 am

How big have yours gotten? Very nice looking shrimp

Thanks.

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 12:38 pm

I had them about 6 months and the last one died about 3 months ago. They get to be about 4"

pturley · Post by **pturley** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:33 pm

The image shown looks very similar. Thank you for the advice.

One question though, do you think you lost your's due to them being short lived or to some other factor (water quality, generic mistake, whatever).
The ones I ordered are listed as adults at 4" long.

Sincerely,
Paul E. Turley

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:40 am

I think that the water conditions were not to their liking. I could not keep acidic water conditions and over time I think that did them in.

Post by **Mustafa** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:58 am

badflash wrote:I think that the water conditions were not to their liking. I could not keep acidic water conditions and over time I think that did them in.

It's unlikely that it was the water parameters actually. This species has a wide range and occurs in many habitats with many different water parameters, including alkaline waters.