Why You Should Be Raising Freshwater Prawns

Looking to get more out of your aquaponics system without adding more complexity? Freshwater prawns might be right for you. These fast-growing, hardy crustaceans bring big benefits to your setup, turning unused space into premium protein production.

1. Fast Growth = Fast Returns

One of the biggest reasons growers are turning to M. rosenbergii is simple: they grow quickly. Under the right conditions, juvenile prawns can reach market size in as little as 5 months. With proper temperature (ideally 78–88°F), oxygen levels, and feeding, you'll be harvesting large, flavorful prawns in less time it takes to grow a full batch of tilapia or catfish.

This means you get a second high-protein harvest from the same system—without doubling your work.

2. A Second Source of Clean, Sustainable Protein

While most aquaponics systems are built around fish and plants, adding prawns gives you a whole new protein crop—raised cleanly, without chemicals, and entirely under your control. Freshwater prawns are high in protein, low in fat, and known for their sweet, firm texture.

Whether you’re raising them for your own family or local markets, prawns offer a premium product that is highly desirable.

3. Hidden Harvest: Prawns Thrive Beneath Floating Aquaponics Beds

One of the most underutilized areas in an aquaponics system is the space beneath your floating raft beds. That shaded, calm environment? It’s the perfect home for freshwater prawns.

Macrobrachium rosenbergii naturally prefer low-light, protected areas. Floating aquaponic beds create exactly the kind of habitat they love, offering cover, structure, and stability. Instead of dedicating a separate tank or container, you can stock prawns directly underneath your grow beds, turning unused water volume into a productive protein zone.

Here’s why this works so well:

· Built-In Root Maintenance: As your plants grow and shed older roots, Macrobrachium rosenbergii naturally forage on this organic matter. They’ll help break down and consume decaying plant roots, which keeps the space under your rafts cleaner, reduces the risk of anaerobic zones, and improves overall water quality. This means healthier root systems above and less buildup below—without you lifting a finger.

· No Food Left Behind: Prawns are excellent at cleaning up uneaten fish food that settles beneath your grow beds. Rather than letting that waste rot and spike your ammonia levels, the prawns act as a secondary cleanup crew. They convert leftovers into growth, helping you reduce waste, lower feed costs, and maintain better nutrient balance across the entire system.

Natural Shelter: The undersides of floating rafts offer a safe space for prawns to hide and molt, reducing stress and mortality.
Vertical Efficiency: You're using the same footprint to grow plants and protein—stacking productivity without expanding space.
Reduced Aggression: The shade and cover help reduce territorial behavior, allowing for consistent growth among the population.
Simplified Management: No extra plumbing, no additional tanks—just stock and feed. Harvest when they’re ready.

If you’re already using floating beds in your system, you’re sitting on the perfect opportunity to raise prawns without extra infrastructure. It’s an incredibly efficient way to increase yield and maximize your system’s value, all while keeping your maintenance low.

4. Low Effort, High Reward

Macrobrachium rosenbergii are surprisingly low-maintenance. They don’t need aerated beds or fancy infrastructure, just proper water quality, some feed, and room to move around. They can be raised in tanks, sumps, or directly in the grow-out area beneath floating vegetation.

With little competition for resources and no need for complex integration, prawns give you high-value output from underutilized space.

Final Thoughts

If you’re running an aquaponics system and want to maximize your return—without overhauling your design, Macrobrachium rosenbergii is an obvious choice. Fast-growing, easy to manage, and ideal for use under floating plants, these freshwater prawns turn your system’s lower levels into a productive protein factory.

More yield, less waste, and no extra tanks. That’s a win all around.