Macrobrachium carcinus
Macrobrachium carcinus is a species of fresh water shrimp known as the big claw river shrimp. It is native to streams, rivers and creeks from Florida to southern Brazil.[1][3] It is the largest known species of Neotropical freshwater shrimp, growing up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long and weighing as much as 850 grams (30 oz),[4] although even larger specimens have been reported.[5] It is an important species for commercial fishing in the Sao Francisco River basin, where it is known by the local name of pitu.[6] M. carcinus is omnivorous, with a diet consisting of molluscs, small fish, algae, leaf litter and insects.[7] Macrobrachium carcinus has a tan or yellow body with dark brown stripes. Its chelae are unusually long and thin, to facilitate foraging for food in small crevices,[7] and may be blue or green in color.[8] References
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