Freshwater Prawn Welfare in Aquariums and Farming

Freshwater ornamental shrimp including cherry and crystal shrimp are increasingly popular aquarium animals, while giant freshwater prawns are farmed for food with growing welfare considerations.

Key Facts

Crystal and cherry shrimp require very specific water chemistry including pH and mineral content
They are highly sensitive to copper — found in some plant fertilisers — which is rapidly fatal
Giant freshwater prawns are farmed in tropical Asia for food export, primarily to Europe and North America
Freshwater prawn sentience is supported by the same precautionary evidence base as marine crustaceans
Ornamental shrimp are sometimes transported in inadequate conditions causing high mortality

Welfare Considerations

Ornamental freshwater shrimp in inappropriately mineralised or copper-contaminated water die within hours. Transport in water with copper pipes or from copper-containing fertilisers causes mass mortality. Giant freshwater prawns in aquaculture face high stocking density stress, aggressive interactions and slaughter methods that are largely unregulated. As with marine crustaceans, the precautionary case for improving freshwater prawn welfare during farming and slaughter is supported by their neurological complexity.

What You Can Do

Test and adjust water chemistry carefully before adding freshwater shrimp to any tank
Source ornamental shrimp from breeders rather than importers to reduce transport mortality
Support development of welfare standards for giant freshwater prawn aquaculture
Advocate for freshwater prawns to be included in aquatic animal welfare regulations alongside marine crustaceans