SPECIES FIELD GUIDE

Giant freshwater prawn

Grows in freshwater ponds but larvae require brackish water in the hatchery.

Giant freshwater prawn

Macrobrachium rosenbergii

A giant freshwater prawn with long blue claws in an aquarium.

Photograph: Citron · CC BY-SA 3.0. Depicted: Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Wikimedia-provided thumbnail downloaded without further image edits; source page records any earlier changes.

  • Grows in freshwater ponds but larvae require brackish water in the hatchery.
  • Territorial and cannibalistic; lower densities and shelters improve survival.
  • Often polycultured with carps; valued in domestic and export markets.