Macrobrachium assamense

Scientific name Macrobrachium assamense
Descriptor Tiwari
Year of description 1958
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Palaemonidae
Genus Macrobrachium
Macrobrachium assamense Macrobrachium assamense

Introduction

Macrobrachium assamense is a fresh water crustacea from the Asia.

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Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    6 cm
  • Maximum size
    7 cm
  • Average size
    6 cm
  • Maximum size
    7 cm

How to recognize Macrobrachium assamense ?

Macrobrachium assamense measures around 6 cm. The dominant males can however reach 7 cm.

Of elongated form, like all the shrimps, it has 5 pairs of legs and a segmented carapace at the level of the abdomen which ends in a tail in fan cut for swimming.

This species belongs to the "long arm shrimp" group because its second pair of claws is of imposing size. These appendages are used mainly to defend themselves, but also to catch food.

Sexual dimorphism

The adult male is bigger than the female.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • Sociability
    living in small groups
  • territorial
    No
  • Venomous
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

Like all crustaceans, Macrobrachium assamense molts whenever it becomes cramped in its shell. Before the hardening of its new body, it is more vulnerable and spends a good part of its time hidden. This mechanism, very complex, allows the periodic renewal of the exoskeleton and part of the internal skeleton. It is also during the moult that the females become fertile.

Macrobrachium assamense hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.

Macrobrachium assamense is a crustacea living in small groups naturally found near the bottom. This species is omnivorous .

Although Macrobrachium assamense is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Macrobrachium assamenseis not a very good swimmer, especially when it reaches adulthood. It moves mainly with the help of its legs.

Reproduction

It is an exclusively freshwater species, the whole reproduction process takes place in fresh water. This species follows a mode of reproduction called "direct development". After several weeks of incubation, the female gives birth to fully formed juveniles ready to fend for themselves.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    14 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    7 - 8.3
  • gh (hardness)
    5 - 20

Biotope presentation

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    80 liters
  • Population min
    3
  • Temperature
    14 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    7 - 8.3

Characteristics

  • Type of maintenance
    Aquarium
  • Maintenance difficulty
    easy
  • Availability
    occasional
  • Behaviour
    slightly aggressive
  • Robustness
    robust
  • Environment
    fresh water
  • Breeding
    fresh water

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for Macrobrachium assamense

Macrobrachium assamense is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 14 °C and 28 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 31°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

Breeding this species is accessible to any hobbyist. It is recommended to follow some basic rules and to be rigorous to achieve a good maintenance.

This species is generally available in specialized shops or from aquarium clubs. Specimens that have been bred for a long time are easier to breed, but special water parameters must be respected.

Copper is toxic to many invertebrates. Some fertilizers and aquarium foods contain copper sulfate and should be used with caution. Since Macrobrachium assamense are sensitive to copper, we do not recommend using these products in any form.

Cohabitation & Environment

Being a living in small groups crustacea, it is advisable to install at least 3 individuals in an aquarium of 80 liters minimum. The maintenance in groups allows to observe its natural behavior within the aquarium. Warning, mixing several species living in the same living area is not recommended if the volume is not significant. this crustacea being a predatory species, it is recommended to maintain it in a specific environment, without other species. Indeed, any crustacean or fish of lower size will become a potential prey. If you still try to associate it with other species, the cohabitants must be of a size at least comparable to the predator in a much larger volume. The aquarium can be provided with many hiding places and a large space to allow each individual to find refuge if necessary.

Due to their fragile state during moulting, all crustaceans need an environment provided with hiding places (roots, pebbles, leaves, plants, etc.) to shelter in case of danger.

To best reproduce the biotope of this species, you can cover the bottom of the tank with sand and put a pile of stones to form caves.

Tips for feeding

Macrobrachium assamense is omnivorous. This species can be fed with small crustaceans such as mussels, fish or even suitable freeze-dried food.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • Maintenance difficulty
    easy
  • egg-laying protection
    No

Reproduction of this species in an aquarium is considered easy.

Reproduction of this species is feasible in captivity, with the entire process taking place in fresh water. If the water conditions are met, the females will give birth to fully formed larvae that are ready to fend for themselves at birth.

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

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Same genus

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