Macrobrachium Suppliers

Veneer · Post by **Veneer** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:25 pm

Would anyone be aware of any sources (hobbyists, importers, biological supply, commercial aquaculture operations) able to supply any Macrobrachium spp. (benthic species, as opposed to water-column swimmers or substrate burrowers, particularly the larger forms, as rosenbergii, carcinus, pilimanus, etc.) to a private individual for the purpose of research pursuits? As applies to aquacultured species, it must be stated that I do not have the facilities to house anything smaller than small juveniles, and specimens of at least 8 cm are preferred (marine/brackish post-larvae are thus out of the question). Such suppliers, in any case, must have the capability to ship to the eastern continental United States.

On a related tangent, can anyone similarly direct me to importers with the capability to ship South American Aeglid "crayfish" [genus Aegla] (in actuality freshwater anomurans allied with squat lobsters and the Paguridae)? Are any hobbyists currently culturing such creatures?

brbarkey · Post by **brbarkey** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:53 pm

Veneer, check out this link

http://www.franksaquarium.com/freshwatershrimpfarm.htm

ben

Veneer · Post by **Veneer** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:36 pm

The site looks to be very helpful - what sort of experiences have you had with the linked online source (namely with regard to livestock quality and mortality rates)?

In addition, is anyone aware of how easily one might personally collect (as in the southern United States) [or otherwise receive through an intermediary] specimens of Macrobrachium carcinus, the "painted river prawn"?

As an aside, presuming that the following information is accurate, what set-up (in terms of aquarium capacity, substrate, filtration- general captive care and tank layout) would best be suited for a single subadult M. carcinus?

The painted river prawn (M. carcinus) is one of the world’s largest shrimp; the massive males may reach 26 inches long [sic], including their outstretched claws, though females are only half as big. This giant freshwater prawn is endemic to coastal regions of the southern Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America.

Judging from the reported size, it appears that a tank on the order of several hundred gallons would be required to house an adult.

Furthermore, all these images purport to depict M. carcinus- it is clear that they are not in accord or that the species encompasses a taxonomically unfeasible degree of variation. On the basis of gross morphology, which one is most representative of the species?

(From the Caribbean National Forest, Puerto Rico, well within the species' projected range)

(A distinctly more gracile "M. carcinus")

To confuse the matter, local dialect (the root of identification difficulties) often groups several distinct Macrobrachium under the heading of "river prawns"; can anyone venture the likely standing of the "freshwater prawn" depicted on http://www.nativefish.org/Gallery/other ... -Prawn.htm?

brbarkey · Post by **brbarkey** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:42 pm

Veneer wrote:The site looks to be very helpful - what sort of experiences have you had with the linked online source (namely with regard to livestock quality and mortality rates)?

I have heard that he is very good. I will order from him soon when the weather warms up a little.

As for the other questions I have no idea

ben

Veneer · Post by **Veneer** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:53 pm

As applies to the captive care of the mentioned 26-inch-long "painted river prawn":

Do the larger Macrobrachium species have much vertical mobility through the water column? (I have witnessed young M. rosenbergii flutter their pleopods to dart up and then drift down, engulfing small fish in a 'net' of outspread limbs- does such behavior continue into adulthood?)

Additionally - would larger species, as M. carcinus require live or frozen feeder fish to maintain proper nutritition?

theshrimp_123 · Post by **theshrimp_123** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 12:29 pm

I don't know about live and frozen fish. Try both.

Veneer · Post by **Veneer** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:37 pm

Is the "swimming" exhibited by Macrobrachium sp. analogous to the jack-knife darting of threatened crayfish? Is this behavior (as applies to the larger freshwater prawns) primarily defensive or more generally locomotory in nature?

(I ask this in consideration of the projected dimensions of an aquarium able to house a rosenbergii-sized specimen).

theshrimp_123 · Post by **theshrimp_123** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:43 pm

It is not the same as a crayfish. Whereas crayfish backward(shrimp do to) they can't go forward. Shrimp flutter their pleopods and can go both ways. And as for your 2nd question, it is both locomotory and defensive.

Post by **Mustafa** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 9:39 pm

Veneer,

To maintain proper nutrition just feed them pellets. These shrimp, despite their size, are not active predators in nature but just eat whatever they can find. So, fish are not their main diet.

Mustafa

Veneer · Post by **Veneer** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 12:31 pm

What would one consider a reasonable going rate for subadult (~ four inches) and adult prawns?

An aquaculture source offers live adult male M. rosenbergii ) "1/4 lb." at $10 (U.S.) each; have you seen lving specimens of the species being sold for any less?

theshrimp_123 · Post by **theshrimp_123** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 2:05 pm

Veneer, They were being sold as blue prawn in a petco in Federal way, WA. In my hometown they also are sold as blue prawn. They are definetly m. rosenbergii. They were 9.99.

bullosa · Post by **bullosa** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 6:08 am

M Rosenbergii is fished in our rivers as a local delicacy. Dont worry, they have natural protection in the form of the crocodile.

theshrimp_123 · Post by **theshrimp_123** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 7:05 am

Isn't it funny how nature balances itself out? Prawn-Man- CROC!!!!

Veneer · Post by **Veneer** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 6:40 am

What information/experiences does anyone have with the Bangkok-based "V. Aquarium Thailand" (http://www.vaquariumthailand.com/produc ... up=lobster) apart from the fact that:

"We are the ornamental tropical fish disease free farm certify by the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-orperative of Thailand. We supply all kind of aquarium freshwater tropical fish in Thailand work with excellence quality aquatic ornamental tropical fish only.
Exporter & wholesaler all kind of aquarium freshwater tropical fish in Thailand, ornamental fish and aquatic plant in Thailand.
We have more than 220 species of aquarium freshwater ornamental tropical fish for export to international." ?

"River Lobster" is clearly M. rosenbergii.

Veneer · Post by **Veneer** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 7:15 am

In addition, do any of you know of the individual who posted a "blue prawn" on Aquabid? I remember seeing it under "Freshwater Invertebrates" and can assure you that it was M. rosenbergii. Have you had any negative experiences with livestock (namely freshwater shrimp) that came through such means?

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26-inch-long Prawn