Blue giant hand shrimp - Macrobrachium cf. rosenbergii

For those aquarists who prefer larger shrimp, we have obtained a few real "predators". The Rose Mountain Shrimp or Blue Giant Hand Shrimp Macrobrachium rosenbergii is farmed in Southeast Asia in large quantities as an edible shrimp. In the wild, they are found in the Indo-Pacific, northern Australia and Southeast Asia. Juvenile roseberg shrimp sometimes have brownish longitudinal stripes, adults have a blue-greenish or blue-gray body color, orange spots on the posterior half of the abdomen, a brown to orange distinct rostrum, and bright dark blue claw legs and walking legs. In males, the scissor legs become very long relative to the body, and the scutes are very large. In females, the claw legs are thinner and shorter, and the claws remain smaller. With a body length of up to 25 cm, the blue giant hand shrimp is an impressive animal.  

The Rose Mountain Shrimp is an extremely skilled hunter, attacking and capturing even large perches. The animals are also very aggressive within the species , even the opposite sex is only tolerated for mating. We therefore strongly recommend keepingthem singly in a species tank!  The aquarium for this shrimp, which grows large, should not be less than 1.50 m edge length. Plants are gnawed off or radically shortened. Roots and stones offer cover and climbing possibilities to the rose mountain shrimp. The water should be medium hard to hard, the temperature 22 to 27 °C.

Dwarf shrimp as well as mini fish are mainly eaten by young rose mountain shrimp, older animals usually leave dwarf shrimp alone. Snails are eaten very gladly. Other large-armed shrimp and fan shrimp are preyed upon, and lethal fights occur with crabs and shrimp.

The Blue Giant Hand Shrimp is very fond of eating flake food as well as frozen food and other protein foods such as Natureholic protein food. Some foliage leaves can be added to the aquarium for cover and water enhancement, but they are eaten very reluctantly - if at all.

Macrobrachium rosenbergii needs salt water for reproduction. The females carry several thousand eggs, which hatch into larvae that grow large in brackish water. Breeding in the hobby has not yet been successful, but in farms in Southeast Asia the animals are bred by the tens of thousands.

Our food recommendation: The soft granulate of the Natureholic MacroFeed consists of biologically balanced animal components that large-armed shrimps would find in nature in this or a similar way. This supports  in a completely natural way the moulting, the development and a healthy growth of your fascinating large arm shrimps in the aquarium.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.