Red claw prawn (Macrobrachium dayanum) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Red claw shrimp, Red claw river prawn
Family
Palaemonidae
Origin
South Asia (India, Nepal and Bangladesh)
Water
freshwater
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

Macrobrachium dayanum is a long-armed freshwater prawn from South Asia. Males grow noticeably larger than females and develop long, reddish claws, which give the hobby name. It is a different animal from the redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) despite the similar name. Our sources have little on this species; the figures are general guidance, not from a source. Set-up: a covered tank with plenty of rock work, wood and plants so subordinate prawns can hide. Keep one male with several females in a modest tank, or give plenty of space and cover for more. It is an active, nocturnal scavenger and a good jumper, so keep a tight lid. Water: tropical, clean, well-oxygenated fresh water with moderate hardness; it is generally hardy once settled. Behaviour: like other Macrobrachium it is predatory and territorial. Males spar with each other and will catch sleeping or sick fish, small shrimp and snails. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and read the label of any treatment, fertiliser or algae remover before use. Sources: none available for this species; general hobby knowledge. Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivorous scavenger and opportunist predator. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, mysis and brine shrimp, pieces of fish or prawn, and some blanched vegetables. Well-fed prawns are less likely to hunt tankmates.

Breeding

It is reported to breed in fresh water, with fewer, larger eggs and young that develop quickly, unlike many Macrobrachium whose larvae need brackish water. Females carry the eggs under the tail; move a berried female to her own tank to stop the young being eaten. Males are bigger with much longer claws.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive. Do not keep with dwarf shrimp, small snails or small, slow or bottom-sleeping fish, which may be eaten. Mid-sized, fast fish that stay off the bottom are usually fine. Males fight, so keep only one unless the tank is large and full of cover.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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