Learn & Explore/Species/Introduced & Invasive/Tahitian Prawn

Tahitian Prawn

Category: Invasive

A large invasive prawn that competes with and preys on native Hawaiian stream species.

Tahitian Prawn (Macrobrachium lar)

  • Freshwater shrimp that reaches maximum length of 181 millimeters

  • Adults develop long claws

Habitat

  • Found in brackish and saltwater during juvenile stages, moves to freshwater in adulthood  1

  • Prefers shaded pools and sheltered parts of the stream 2

Impacts & Concern

Compete with and prey on native stream animals 1

Introduction

Introduced to Hawai‘i from the Marquesas Islands via aquaculture as a potential food source in 1950 2

Distribution in Hawai‘i

  • Kauaʻi: Present

  • Oʻahu: Present

  • Molokaʻi: Not documented

  • Lānaʻi: Not documented

  • Maui: Present

  • Hawaiʻi Island: Present

References

  1. Benson, A.J. (2021) Macrobrachium lar: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1201

  2. Hawai‘i Biological Survey. (2010). Macrobrachium lar. Bishop Museum. https://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/waipio/Critter%20pages/macrobrachiumlar.html

Other Introduced & Invasive

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Marine

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Freshwater

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Brackish

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Seaweed/Algae