KT's Freshwater Prawns

Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) aka Malaysian Giant Freshwater Prawn,  Freshwater River Prawn or Freshwater Scampi.  

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Before your Prawns arrived:

You'll need to get their new home (container/tank) ready.  Make sure your container/tank is clean and free of any odor.  The best method that I found best is to soak your container (if plastic) by completely filling it with water and let the filter & air pump run for a few days.  After a few days, empty the container and refill it with new water.  Treat your water with Stress Coat or any aquarium water treatment you may want to use.  This will remove any chemicals from your water and making it safe for aquatic animals.

Freshwater Prawns are Tropical animals so they will require warm water to survive.  With new treated water ready, you'll need a water heater to get your water up to 78° F to 84° F.  This process may take anywhere from 5-24 hours so don't rush or you'll burn out your heater.

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While you wait for your water to warm up, this is the best time to start getting your netting substrate ready.  Substrates are rectangular box made of PVC pipe, horizontal layers of netting of 1/8" - 1/4" (.125" - .25")  mesh, 3"-6" between layers.  The spacing between layers depends on your harvest size of the Prawns.  4"-5" size Prawns require 3"- 4" spacing between layers.  For Prawns over 5", you'll need 6" spacing. You can view my YouTube videos on Building Substrate to give you an idea.  You can make the substrate in any way that best fit your container.

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Don't forget to take in account of stocking densities listed here.
 

Stocking Densities:

Post Larvae to 30 Days: Up to 40 animals per square foot.

From 30 Days to 60 Days: Up to 20 animals per square foot.

From 60 Days to 90 Days: No more than 2 animals per square foot.

After 90 Days: 1 – 2½ square feet per animal (depending on harvest size of your Prawns).

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Your Prawns have arrived.

Be Patient and start the procedure for acclimatizing.  Everyone has their own way and this is my way to ensure that the Prawns don't endure more stress and ensure their survival on their new environment.

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1.  Float the bags for 15 minutes in the container/tank that you'll be keeping them in.  This will acclimate the temperature from the bags to the water in the container/tank.

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2.  Use a small and clean container of any size.  Open the bags and empty it into the container (photo on left). 

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3.  Put an air source into the container/bucket and give the Prawns some much needed oxygen to decrease the stress level. (Leave the air source On until you complete step 4 & 5)

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4.  Be Patient.. Using a 1/2 cup measuring, Slowly add water from their new home into the container/bucket.  Wait 5-10 minutes and add another 1/2 cup water from their new home.  Continue this process until the container/bucket that the Prawns are in has triple in volume.  This Process is very important because it will help acclimate the Prawns with a new/different ph level in their new home and help decrease the stress they induced in transit.

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5.    Now using a small fish net, slowly net the Prawns and release them into their new home.  After you get all the Prawns into their new home, dump the water in the container/bucket.  Wait a couple hours and feed them a small amount of food, feed again in 12 hours and continue your feeding schedule every 12 hours or twice a day (morning & evening).

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I hope that you find this information helpful

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