Feeder Prawns

Macrobrachium australiense

Brief Background

Feeder Prawns, also known as shrimps, are a small freshwater crustacean, indigenous to most streams in Eastern Australia.  They have been commercially produced as live bait and live food since the late 1970’s. Our business, Freshwater Australian Crayfish Traders, was the first farm to commercially produce freshwater prawns as live food and we still do so today.

The feeder prawns are produced in large (mostly 0.25 ha) freshwater ponds in south-east Queensland. They are harvested by draining the ponds, catching and transporting the shrimps to holding tanks where they are sorted and graded. Larger prawns are sold as live bait for fishing, and smaller prawns (mostly 1-3cm) are sold as feeder prawns, as a live food for a variety of animals.

Feeder prawns are predacious and breed naturally in a wide variety of freshwater environments.

In the wild, they form a significant part of the diets of many species of fish, birds and aquatic reptiles.

Freshwater Prawns as Live Food

Freshwater prawns, also known as freshwater shrimps, are widely used within the aquarium and pet industry as a live food for predatory fish and turtles.

In the wild, they do form a large and natural part of the diet of many aquatic animals. A diet that includes freshwater prawns enhances the colours in many aquarium fish, and hence, they have become a popular aquarium live food.

They are mostly 1-3cm in overall length.

Availability

As a result of the large-scale commercial production of these feeder prawns, there is no seasonality of supply. They are generally available throughout the year.

Availability is, however, subject to the normal rules of supply and demand and the shrimps can at times be sold out. This interruption in supply is effectively only a short term event. The feeder prawns will be available again as soon as another pond can be harvested, which is normally within two to four days.

When ordering, it is advisable to also check on availability.

Packaging and Delivery

The feeder prawns are packaged live into plastic bags with water and oxygen whereby they are delivered directly from our farm to your premises. They can be delivered directly to businesses, homes and shops, in most areas of south-east Queensland.

Our delivery vans service most areas between Caloundra and Tweed Heads and go as far west as Toowoomba.

Cost

Prices may vary for a variety of reasons. A delivered price can be quoted on request (Phone: 07 5463 8226).