Giant freshwater shrimp

Care at a glance

The giant freshwater prawn from South-East Asia is the largest freshwater shrimp in the world, recognisable by the enormously elongated blue claws of adult males. It is farmed for food across much of Asia, which explains both its size and its appetite.

In the aquarium it is an outright hunter that takes fish, shrimp and snails and attacks its own kind, so keep it alone. Provide a spacious, well-covered tank with plenty of hiding places, because right after moulting it is defenceless.

Good to know

• Territorial
• Preys on shrimp and snails
• Outgrows most home tanks

Best not combined with

• GuppyPoecilia reticulata
• Cherry shrimpNeocaridina davidi
• Amano shrimpCaridina multidentata
• Nerite snail (zebra)Neritina sp.
• Crystal red shrimpCaridina cantonensis

Related species

• Japanese trapdoor snailViviparus malleatus
• Vampire crabGeosesarma sp.
• Horned nerite snailClithon corona
• Red claw crabPerisesarma bidens
• Asian gold clamCorbicula fluminea
• Redclaw crayfishCherax quadricarinatus