About the species

Macrobrachium - Claw shrimp (Macrobrachium assamense) is a long-arm shrimp from the eastern Himalayas, sometimes called ghost shrimp or glass shrimp. The body is translucent to grey or brownish with fine dark lines, and males develop powerful red-brown claws that can grow longer than the body.

Facts

• Latin name: Macrobrachium assamense
• Common name: Macrobrachium - Claw shrimp
• Size: Females about 6 cm, males up to 8 cm
• Lifespan: 3–4 years

Behavior

Macrobrachium - Claw shrimp is a territorial long-arm shrimp. Males carry powerful claws and may hunt small fish, snails and dwarf shrimp. Provide plenty of hiding places with rocks, driftwood and tubes so sight lines are broken.

Reproduction

• Females carry up to 70 eggs under the tail
• The young hatch after 4–6 weeks as fully developed miniatures
• Breeding succeeds best around 26 °C with plenty of hiding places

Feeding

Macrobrachium - Claw shrimp is an omnivore with a clear protein requirement and feeds on:

• Animal protein
• Organic material and leftovers
• Algae and greens

Feel free to supplement with:

• Frozen food 2–3 times a week
• Sinking pellets and shrimp food
• Blanched spinach or nettle

Aquarium

• Minimum aquarium size: 54 litres, preferably more
• Substrate: Gravel or sand with rocks and driftwood

Difficulty level

🟡 Moderate

Recommendation

The claw shrimp is an exciting alternative if you want a larger, active shrimp with distinct behaviour. It is however an opportunistic hunter — do not keep it with dwarf shrimp, snails or small fish. Provide a well-furnished aquarium with rocks, driftwood and tubes to reduce territorial disputes.