How to Raise Giant Shrimp

The giant freshwater prawn inhabits rivers in the tropical Indo-Pacific. The planktonic larvae of this species are dependent on estuarine or brackish-water for survival, although the post-larval juveniles and adult shrimps live entirely in freshwater. Sexually mature giant prawns breed readily during the summer wet season and will breed under captive conditions as well. The larvae, however, develop slowly and require both skill and hatchery technology for successful rearing.

Things You'll Need

  • Stock tanks, 100-gallons
  • Undergravel filters
  • Shell grit substrate
  • Bore hole water
  • Heaters
  • Trout pellets
  • Fresh or frozen line fish
  • Mussels
  • 15-gallon aquariums
  • Synthetic sea salt
  • Swing-arm hydrometer
  • Small submersible pump with sponge guard
  • Brine shrimp
  • Ground trout pellets
  • Minced fish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place an undergravel filter onto the floor of a 100-gallon, fibro-cement tank and cover this thin, plastic filter with shell grit.

    • 2

      Pump fresh water through the tank on a continual basis.

    • 3

      Set a heater to between 78 and 82 degrees F and place into the tank.

    • 4

      Feed the adult prawns five days per week. Offer pieces of mussel and line fish, together with trout pellets.

    • 5

      Examine the female prawns for signs of eggs after they have mated. Transfer "berried" females to a 15-gallon aquarium once the eggs, which they carry on their abdomen, change from an orange to a grey color. Place each female in her own freshwater aquarium.