Asian Glass Shrimp (Macrobrachium lanchesteri)
Despite its name, the Asian Glass Shrimp is a freshwater prawn from the genus Macrobrachium.
The Asian Glass Shrimp is a sociable, relatively peaceful and hardy species, adapting well to almost all kinds of freshwater. However, Asian Glass Shrimps are excellent jumpers, especially if they get scared; therefore, you must make sure your aquarium has a tight-fitting lid. In addition, it would be best to keep the Asian Glass Shrimp in a group of at least five individuals, preferably more; this will give the aquarium a more engaging, natural-looking display.
Males can be pretty aggressive with each other, especially if they are kept in small cramped tanks. This species can also predate on small or slow-moving fish; therefore, they are best kept in a species only tank. However, these shrimp can coexist with smaller species of shrimp as well as some medium to large-sized fish.
It would be better to provide Asian Glass Shrimp with plenty of hiding places using things like rocks, clay pipes and hollow roots. Dark sand or fine gravel would be the best substrate to use as you will be able to see your shrimp more clearly.
The Asian Glass shrimp has a transparent body and displays brown to black stripes on the front part of their body. The distinctive feature of this species is their straight rostrum.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macrobrachium lanchesteri |
| Other Names | Glass shrimp, Ghost shrimp |
| Family | Palaemonidae |
| Genus | Macrobrachium |
| Origins | |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.5 - 8.5 |
| GH | 4 - 30 |
| KH | 5 - 20 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 64 - 86℉ 17.8 - 30℃ | |
Photos of the Asian Glass Shrimp
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Asian Glass Shrimp (Macrobrachium lanchesteri) Freshwater Prawn Aquarium Species Profile & Care
Natural Habitat
Asian Glass Shrimp are widely distributed throughout Asia, where they occur in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Laos. They can be found in every type of freshwater habitat, including rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps and rice fields. However, they typically inhabit still to slow-flowing waters that are often relatively shallow, where you will find them amongst seagrass, mud, sand and shells.
Asian Glass Shrimp are an essential economic resource for local people in rural areas where they are eaten as native food and used for cooking and processing in many styles.
What to feed the Asian Glass Shrimp
Asian Glass Shrimp are omnivores that are unfussy eaters and opportunistic scavengers.
This species will readily accept all kinds of food, from live and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia and brine shrimp to dried foods such as flakes, granules and pellets. The Asian Glass Shrimp will also happily eat some plant matter and algae.
How to sex the Asian Glass Shrimp
It is relatively tricky to differentiate between male and female Asian Glass Shrimp. However, males are usually larger and have a more extended and more extensive set of claws than females. In contrast, females do not grow as big in length, and they have a smaller and more oval belly than males.
How to breed the Asian Glass Shrimp
It is relatively straightforward to breed Asian Glass Shrimp. As long as you have both males and females in your aquarium, the process should not prove too challenging.
The females will carry her fertilised eggs in her abdomen area. It usually takes somewhere between 4 and 6 weeks for the eggs to hatch. However, this species has an abbreviated larval state of about 2 to 4 weeks, where they will go through several stages until they become miniature versions of their parents.
The Shrimplets will require baby brine shrimp or very finely crushed dried flakes as their initial food.