Slim river shrimp - Macrobrachium idella

Slender river shrimp - Macrobrachium idella

The particularly pretty slender river shrimp, sunset shrimp or thorntail shrimp Macrobrachium idella belongs to the large-armed shrimp. In its homeland in Asia and Africa it is partly propagated in aquaculture as edible shrimp, especially in India. The adult slender river shrimp live in freshwater, while the larvae develop in the brackish water of estuaries. This beautiful transparent, brown speckled Macrobrachium shrimp has long, rather slender claw arms.

The Slender River Shrimp was first described as Palaemon idae ssp. idella, but it was then scientifically placed with the large-armed shrimp of the genus Macrobrachium and elevated to species status. The beautiful Macrobrachium wild form grows to about 4 to 7 inches in size. The slender river shrimp is a real rarity and unfortunately not often found in aquaristics.

The females of the slender river shrimp can be recognized by the downward extended shovel-shaped segments on the abdomen. In their abdominal pockets they carry the small eggs until the larvae hatch. In the transparent female thorntail shrimp you can also see the egg spot in the neck quite well. The larvae do not come up in freshwater aquariums, Macrobrachium idella needs brackish water to reproduce. In nature, the current washes the tiny larvae into the estuary where seawater and freshwater mix to form brackish water. After metamorphosis to adult shrimp, the young Macrobrachium idella then migrate back up rivers against the current. In commercial aquaculture Macrobrachium idella is bred en masse, breeding reports from aquarists are rather sparse so far.

Macrobrachium idella live in nature in freshwater in streams and rivers with access to the sea. The Sunset shrimps tolerate soft to hard water in the aquarium without any problems, 22 to 30 degrees water temperature should be in the aquarium, the pH value of the aquarium water can go from 6.5 to 8.5.

For a pair of the relatively compatible slender river shrimp we recommend a well structured with wood, stones and plants aquarium from 54 liters or from 60 cm edge length. If the aquarium is accordingly larger and with many hiding places well and varied furnished, it is possible to keep also more than one pair of the Macrobrachium idella.

This pretty, rather small large-armed shrimp does not go to the plants, this Macrobrachium wild form is a carnivore. You should keep that in mind when feeding them. Macrobrachium idella loves frozen food and also hunts sinking live food like Tubifex. Our special food for carnivorous large arm shrimp NatureHolic Macrofeed is also best suited as a complete food.

The slender river shrimp does not like strong currents. The substrate in the aquarium for Macrobrachium idella should consist of water neutral gravel or sand. Caves and hiding places made of roots and stones provide security. Here the sometimes somewhat territorial large-armed shrimp can mark out their territories and keep out of each other's sight.

The slender river shrimp should not be kept together with dwarf shrimp. Snails are also eaten. The rather small Macrobrachia, with their not overly strong claws, tend not to go for fast, agile fish that do not live or sleep on the bottom. The pretty little slender river shrimp does not get along with crayfish and crabs.

Our food recommendation: The soft granules of the Natureholic MacroFeed consists of biologically balanced animal components that the large-armed shrimp 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-armed shrimps in the aquarium.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting 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.