chameleon shrimp (Machobrachium sp.)

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Thanks Pole .... as I said was googling a storm last night and today, found that link earlier .. was very informative, one of the best I'd seen so far. Otherwise I'm discovering there's many different varieties of Macrobrachium Sp. ... but other than the few decent links like that one .... the info isn't available as readily as other aquatic species. Gonna keep updating on this guy I think as time passes. Once the other one heals up then I can transfer it to the same tank ... and hopefully learn some more.
Should anyone have personal knowledge of keeping this species feel free to chime in.
 
It could be one of a few species of South or Southeast Asian Macrobrachium that get sold under that label. This one probably comes out of India and has unabbreviated larval development in brackish water. There are over 250 species in the genus Macrobrachium ... really fascinating genus, as you're finding out.

Word of precaution: I would be careful about tankmates and be prepared to rehouse if necessary. Although it might look like everyone gets along fine by day, it's frequently the case that these guys will try to shred crays and fellow shrimp (sometimes even larger ones) when they're soft and flabby immediately after molting, and they're more than capable of picking off smaller fish or frogs as they sleep. You can reduce the risk by providing lots of hiding spaces and visual barriers, but I sleep better when they're in species tanks.
 
Veneer said:
It could be one of a few species of South or Southeast Asian Macrobrachium that get sold under that label. This one probably comes out of India and has unabbreviated larval development in brackish water. There are over 250 species in the genus Macrobrachium ... really fascinating genus, as you're finding out.

Word of precaution: I would be careful about tankmates and be prepared to rehouse if necessary. Although it might look like everyone gets along fine by day, it's frequently the case that these guys will try to shred crays and fellow shrimp (sometimes even larger ones) when they're soft and flabby immediately after molting, and they're more than capable of picking off smaller fish or frogs as they sleep. You can reduce the risk by providing lots of hiding spaces and visual barriers, but I sleep better when they're in species tanks.
Click to expand...

Thanks Veneer .... I'm starting to think along the same lines. Currently in the middle of switching some tanks around (2 or 3 weeks on the go now) ... hoping the last tank is fully cycled tomorrow (should be). Then I can move things around a bit more. I'll probably move my Orange Mexican Dwarf Lobster ... as I didn't think of the molting stage (thanks for pointing that out) and to be honest ... he's a major wimp. My Amano Shrimp used to pick on him when I had them together.
I saw the list of the genus Macrobrachium .. and wow ... they are neat and like you said over 250 species. Plus the sizes of some of them was enlightening.
My tanks usually contain a fair amount of hiding places ... been letting my son scape them for me lately.
As for a species only tank ... if needed always a possibility. In fact it'd be an excuse for another tank with my wife ... hmmm :)
 
I've kept similar looking FW prawns in the past, but not sure if its the same species, since over here they sell them as just feeder shrimp...

They can be quite nasty to tank mates, not to mention they are quite daring as well... used to chuck a whole load in my 200G for my preds to slowly pick off, and noticed that as long as they can grab it, they will try and eat it... also i found that they also seem to like to do a bit of gardening if left in planted tanks...
 
Fat Homer said:
I've kept similar looking FW prawns in the past, but not sure if its the same species, since over here they sell them as just feeder shrimp...

They can be quite nasty to tank mates, not to mention they are quite daring as well... used to chuck a whole load in my 200G for my preds to slowly pick off, and noticed that as long as they can grab it, they will try and eat it... also i found that they also seem to like to do a bit of gardening if left in planted tanks...
Click to expand...

Thanks Fat Homer .... beginning to see some of the things you as well as Veneer have shared with me on these guys. Came home Monday to find my sons 29G destroyed. All plants uprooted and detached from driftwood ... my shrimp were no where in sight ... had to get things sorted out. I had left the second Chameleon shrimp in there to heal. When I found it ... well it moves pretty darn good for being beat up ... so its now joined the other Chameleon Shrimp in my own 29G (All my other shrimp have since resurfaced except for 2 cherry shrimp).
Haven't seen the second Chameleon Shrimp since I put it in there. They are both housed now with 2 African Dwarf Frogs, 2 African Butterfly Cichlids, 2 Red Serpae Tetras, 3 Black Skirt Tetras, 3 Corydoras and a lone Dwarf Neon Rainbow. Like I said I haven't seen the second one since Monday evening, but the one I photographed for this thread. Has know made his new home in my hornwort and watersprite. The frogs eventually vacated him from the spot under the piece of slate. As its been stated and observed ... this guy has no fear. I kinda hope he picks off the Tetras ... they came with my first tank 4 yrs ago, so no real attachment for me. I think the African Butterfly Cichlids should be okay.
Got my 30G up and running and cycled again, so I was able to move the Mexican Orange Dwarf Lobster into it ... for its own safety. He's now housed with my 2 Banjo Catfish and some Swordtails of my sons. But it still has room should I have to move anything else.
I was thinking of getting some more Zebra Nerite Snails for my 29G with the Chameleon Shrimp in it .... having some issues with Algae on my Anubias ... unsure how the Snails and Chameleon Shrimp would work together. I believe I'm okay, but first hand knowledge would be a bonus. At this point I want to keep this Shrimp ... in fact I may even want a couple more.
Never thought a little shrimp could be a predator ... but watching this guy (I do believe its a male from the reading I've done) in action I'm now a believer. When he's moving he covers alot of ground quickly ... then can find a place to stake out and wait/prey. Holds his position like an art ... then slowly methodically moves into a better placement to strike. I actually do hunt myself, mainly for food purposes, so I can appreciate the "art of stalking" this species has.

and Blackhorse .... I agree, I do think this guy is pretty neat.
 
Im guessing the nerite snails should be okay with the FW Prawn? Although at the same time, i guess there could always be a chance the prawn could kill the snail if it really wanted to using those pincers of theirs...

The reason i seem unsure is because while i've had the two species live together, over time my nerites did die and i saw the snails picking at the carcass but cant confirm it was the shrimp that killed it...



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So I took one of the Nerites from my sons tank and stuck him in mine a few days ago. Everything seems fine. Not too worried, in fact went a bought 3 more and added them to the tank. Hopefully helps fix my algae problem.
At the same time I questioned my LFS about these guys (now that I've done some reading) turns out theres been complaints. People would buy 2 or 3 and by the time they got home usually only 1 was alive. Found this out after I had requested separate bags for 2 more Chameleon shrimp. It was their last 2. Looks like I may have gotten another male and female. When I put them in the tank the male landed right next to a Nerite, looked at it for a bit then left it alone.
So far haven't lost anything in the tank. The male I've had shows himself I little with the lights on, but the 1st female, only comes out at dark. I can flip the light on in the middle of the night and see her dart across the tank for cover. Otherwise she's always hidden.
Curious to see how things go this week with the addition of 2 more Chameleon Shrimp.
 
Well I'm 99% sure I've a possible pair, unknown if I still have 4 Macrobrachium's though. My first male is showing some neat markings down his back. The female (the second unbeat-up female) is more translucent with shorter arms and smaller pincers. The first female (the beat-up one) I haven't seen in almost a week ... which isn't unheard of from what I've read. But the second male I haven't seen since a couple of days after I put him in. I keep reading conflicting things on aggression/territorial with them. But I'm leaning on one male took out the other ... time will tell.
So far no fish loss, the male Macro. is very bold gotta admit. I enjoy watching him as he comes out in the light and dark now. Very cunning in his hunting strategy although no success ... its when he goes for the older serpae that he comes close. Tries to drag it under the limb of driftwood ... he first creates a tunnel under the limb in the sand where he can spin around and leap in either direction. The female even comes out prowling once in awhile with the light on. Normally she hangs out in the vicinity of the male when this happens ... but doesn't interfere with his actions. They both home in the corner with the hornwort. Although it appears in different spots (Just as I've read).
From the prowling/surfing/reading I've done ... and based off photos big time (but once again conflicting pictures ... along with some conflicting info) I think I've narrowed in down to two species. Macrobrachium Pilimanus (Chameleon Shrimp) or possibly Macrobrachium Sp. - Boxer. This is mainly from the markings on the males body (but once again conflicting pictures with both species).
Regardless of what they are ... no regrets ... they've become my highlight in this tank.
 
^ Its good to hear they are working out for you...

I remember when i was still using these as feeders, there was one male that managed to live in my 200G for quite some time, and he was extremely bold as well, actually, thinking back, he took over a very small cave i put in the tank for my Yellow Lab Chichlid and he would literally, bully the yellow lab out of the cave...

I think eventually my Fahaka ended up getting it though... since he probably got a little too bold with the wrong fish...
 
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