Related FAQs: Freshwater Shrimp, Invertebrates for the Aquarium Garden Related Articles: Invertebrates for Freshwater Aquariums,  Fresh to Brackish Crabs,  /The Aquarium Gardener Series  Shrimps, Crayfish, Prawns in Freshwater Aquariums
by Bob Fenner	A good crayfish?

Atyopsis species, Wood, Bamboo, Singapore Shrimp. Up to three inches in length. Filter/suspension feeders, good for green water conditions.  Tropical, temp.s. in mid-70's to 80's. Shown: Atyopsis moluccensis. Have two pair of specialized sieving appendages.  http://userpages.umbc.edu/~rrhudy1/shrimp.htm#wood

Caridina japonica Japanese Swamp Shrimp, Amano Shrimp (after their popularizer, Takashi Amano) Great algae eaters for peaceful freshwater aquariums, including planted ones.  http://suiso.com/ebi.htm

Cherax tenuimanus, the (Blue, cultivated) Marron. Found naturally in Southwestern Australia. Natural habitat is calm water under ledges. Territorial, one to a tank. Nocturnal feeders on plant material, animals, detritus. Males distinguished by genital papillae on fifth pair, females with openings on third pair of walking legs. Cool to tropical water. Escape artists! Keep tank covered.

Macrobrachium rosenbergii, the Giant Blue "Lobster" or Prawn. An opportunistic eater of most all living things it can get its claws on.

Palaemonetes sp.  Ghost Shrimp. Maximum size, about one inch.

Bibliography/Further Reading:

http://www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk/

http://www.aquaticlounge.aquariumplants.cx/shrimp.html

Cochran, Gary. 1989. Louisiana lobster. FAMA 12/89.

Dow, Steven. 1982. Breeding Crayfish in the home. TFH 1/82.

Grazulis, Vic. 1995. Freshwater Invertebrates: The Blue Marron. TFH 5/95.

Hovanec, Timothy. 1991. Am I blue? Lobsters in the tank (Macrobrachium). Pet Dealer Magazine 10/91.

Richter, Hans Joachim. 1982. A freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium niponensis. TFH 6/82.

Spotts, Daniel. 1981. Introducing Macrobrachium rosenbergii. FAMA 7/81. 

Stavinchuck, Justin. 1986. Giant Blue Lobsters. An introduction of a freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, to the aquarium trade. FAMA 12/86.

Taborsky, Petr. 1982. The White Prince. TFH 8/82.

Volkart, Bill. 1989. Live Foods: Craving crawdads? FAMA 5/89.

Watson, Thomas T. 1976. Crayfish in captivity. TFH 4/76.

Watson, Thomas T. 1980. Ghost Shrimp. TFH 5/80.