Macrobrachium australiense (Eastern Longarm Shrimp)

Eastern Longarm shrimp Macrobrachium australiense Crustacea Decapoda PALAEMONIDAE Freshwater shrimp native to east coast of Australia. Known for their long arms and can grow up to 20cm in length, one of the largest freshwater shrimp in Australia. Inhabits streams, rivers and other freshwater habitats, where they feed on a variety of organisms such as algae, aquatic plants and small invertebrate, omnivorous. Generally more active at night and are known to burrow in soft sediment during the day. Sexually dimorphic, with the males having enlarged second pair of walking legs which they use to clasp onto the female during mating. Females carry their eggs on their abdomen until they hatch into free-swimming larvae. Livefish.com.au; It has been established the prawns spend considerable time cleaning their bodies to prevent excessive fouling of their body surfaces. At high densities, or when there is a shortage of other food, freshwater prawns become cannibalistic. Lui, Lee Chan - Some aspects of the taxonomy, behaviour and biology of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium australiense Holthuis 1950 (Crustacea : Decapoda : Palaemonidae) See page 78 of The Waterbug Book for a key to the families of Decapoda File photos: P1090052 P1090053 P1090050