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. 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), although even larger specimens have been reported. It is an important species for commercial fishing in the Sao Francisco River basin, where it is known by the local name of pitu. M. carcinus is omnivorous, with a diet consisting of molluscs, small fish, algae, leaf litter and insects.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Bigclaw River Shrimp being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Macrobrachium americanum
- Macrobrachium latimanus
- Macrobrachium lar
- Macrobrachium faustinum
- Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda
- Family
- Palaemonidae
- Genus
- Macrobrachium
- Species
- Macrobrachium carcinus
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