Long Arm Prawn Feeding Habits

[beinlm1]

Hello All,

I thought I'd see if I could get some advice on a critter I bought for my 55 gallon freshwater tank.

2 weeks ago, I purchased a long arm prawn (Sci. Name Macrobrachium sp.
). He did a number on most of my fish, but I was looking to change up the tank anyways. Before I gave away the rest of my fish, he had eaten about 15, ranging from neon tetras to a rhino pleco.

Now he's in with a Tiger Oscar (3 inches) and seems to be beating up on this guy too. They are both getting fed a dozen small feeders twice a week.

My question is, will the prawn eventually kill the oscar? Should I try to give up the prawn now rather than wait till its too late?

Any guidance is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Holly9937]

I definately think it will get the fish sooner or later, even if it doesn't kill it right away. Plus that has to be really stressful for the fish, to be constantly on alert so it doesn't become a meal

 

[Veneer]

From where did you obtain your prawn, and how large is it? Can you provide an image?

Adult M. rosenbergii, among the most commonly available species, can attain lengths (including chelipeds) of around 24 inches, at which point such a specimen would be incompatible with most cohabitants. Juveniles, however, have proven to be marginally more amenable to membership in community setups (if amongst larger fish).

In the meantime, you would do well to isolate your specimens; it is otherwise likely that the latter will be consumed sometime in the near future.