Got "ghost shrimp" from lps that I dont think are ghost shrimp. dwarf puffer safe?

[demonte1997]

Copied a post I had on another invert forum a few days ago.

"Potentially, they could be baby prawn if they are exhibiting behavior that is very aggressive. Small prawn often are mixed in with ghost shrimp or mislabeled as them in the hobby. Many times they get quite large and they can literally take over an entire tank. The largest species can reach a body size of 12" alone.

Do you have any images of your ghost shrimp? How big are they? Where did you get them? I've noticed that pet stores in TX seem to have a lot of prawn. I'm not sure if they are contaminants in local areas from the prawn aquaculture operations down there or if there is another explanation.

In the pics above, you can see the most common prawn in the aquarium trade. Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In the second picture, they don't look much different than a ghost shrimp.

The giveaways are typically larger claws, a red horn, faint stripes on their sides and larger (disproportionate) eyes.

Here is a vid of my little guys when they were around 1" long. Cute when they are that size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jnWFPy0jl8&list=UUmr6iZ45SxVX-lgNIK5uZhQ&index=8&feature=plcp

And this is a male from the same batch about 2 months later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdjLZamWDfk&list=UUmr6iZ45SxVX-lgNIK5uZhQ&index=1&feature=plcp

He is only 2.5" now and already getting quite aggressive. Note the huge claw. It will only get bigger."



Wanted to add that ghost shrimp behavior seems to vary quite a bit. They can be aggressive, preying on smaller fish.. but they are nowhere near as destructive as prawn.

The PetSmart by me only carries what looks like common ghost shrimp. It probably varies by region.

 

[ancestral_stars]

Oh WOW thank you for all of that great info!!! haha I love your prawn!! He seems like quite the tough guy=)


I have finally managed to get a few extremely poor photos.

I have circled the stuff in question. The first two are of the same shrimp. He has developed a claw on one "hand" that is white and red. None of the others have it (they all have V looking hands). He is not the biggest however- that honor belongs to the shrimp mentioned below! Btw this guy doesnt *seem* to have different coloration but I will need to get a better look at him (cant find the bugger now).

The second shrimp pictured Im just curious about why it seems to have a perpetual green mass like it has been eating tons of plants. I have live plants in my aquariums but the shrimp seem to eat little bits of stuff off the leaves NOT the actual leaves themselves. funny how this guy seems to have downed a giant green ball.

 

[demonte1997]

That's a tough call with the pics. I think I see a rather large pincher that is circled. If so, there is a good chance that is not a ghost shrimp.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that if it is a prawn, it doesn't necessarily have to even be the giant blue prawn I reference above. There are over 250 named species in the world, and undoubtedly, many that have not been discovered yet. Just like with any animal, prawn behavior can be differ by species. The blue prawn are the biggest and one of the most aggresive. Other kinds, like red claw macros (M. dayanum) are more on the docile side and they do not get as large. I have 10 red claws mixed in with cherry shrimp in a 20-gallon community tank. They co-exist 100% peacefully with each other.

If you can get better pics that would be immensely helpful. If you are describing a very prominent red and white striped claw, that could possibly be a small prawn. I have a rosenbergii by himself that has similar coloration of its claws. It's about 1" now.

No matter what, if your new additions end up being a prawn of some sort, you should have a lot of fun with them (provided you are able to get them separate living quarters). They are truly magnificent creatures in their own right. The males get extremely long, ornate claws and they can be very colorful. Prawn are much more intelligent than your average shrimp. Quite inquisitive. I liken them almost to a cichlid in the way they will recognize people and beg for food. You can even train them to eat out of your hand if you're daring enough. Prawn do not get enough positive attention in the aquarium industry. Often due to lack of knowledge and being mislabeled.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[demonte1997]

Wanted to add that the second shrimp looks like it is a female if it has that green mass in it. That mass usually turns into eggs that are held under the tail. If that shrimp is small, it is likely a ghost. I've seen many that have that green coloration behind the head.

HTH

 

[Murg7]

puffers and shrimp are never a good combo. i would separate them asp

 

[mel_20_20]

Honestly, I would get them out of there ASAP! They will attack your little puffer while he's sleeping and do considerable damage, and likely kill him. I had a Macrobrachium rosenbergii that I caught in the act of trying to kill an Otocinclus. I rescued the fish just in time, but he had already nipped off his caudal fin close to the body, had taken a big chunk out of the dorsal, and had ripped the Oto's face badly.

Get them out, ASAP. It's true that a lot of lfs stock has Macrobrachium mixed in with ghosties. I can't stress enough.... get them out to protect your puffer, now. These guys are brutal and will attack anything, even anything way bigger than it is.

ADDENDUM: Rick, (Demonte), you should post a video of Cloverfield. (another one of Rick's m. rosenbergii, also known as Giant Malaysian Prawn)

 

[demonte1997]

[video=youtube;5k3fXNdqmUs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k3fXNdqmUs[/video]

^ As Mel said, these guys can do considerable damage. They grow like weeds and they love to attack things.