A Complete Guide to Ra Ra Shrimp: Biology, Care, Breeding, and Uses

Appearance and Biology of Ra Ra Shrimp

Ra ra shrimp have an elongated body shape and measure about 4-6 inches long at maturity. Their most distinctive feature is their reddish-orange coloration with thin white bands running longitudinally across their backs and tails. The white bands help camouflage ra ra shrimp against river vegetation and make them harder for predators to spot.

Like other freshwater prawns, ra ra shrimp have stalked compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and five pairs of walking legs. Their front three pairs of legs end in small claws for gathering food and defense. Under the tail is the telson fan, composed of paddle-like uropods which propel the shrimp rapidly backward through the water to escape predators.

Lifespan and Reproduction

In the wild, ra ra shrimp may live for 1-2 years. Females reach sexual maturity after 5-8 months while males take 3-5 months to become sexually mature. Mating occurs shortly after the female molts. The male will flip the soft-shelled female shrimp onto her back and deposit sperm packets onto her underside.

After mating, the female extrudes and attaches hundreds of bright orange eggs under her tail. The eggs hatch after 3-4 weeks into tiny shrimp larvae which cling to the females swimmerets for another 2-3 weeks until they can swim and feed independently. Ra ra shrimp females can produce multiple clutches of eggs in a breeding season under optimal conditions.

Growth and Molting

Like all crustaceans, ra ra shrimp must periodically shed their exoskeletons in order to grow. This process is called molting. Young juvenile shrimp may molt as frequently as every 2-3 days while large adults only molt a few times a year. Prior to molting, the shrimp forms a new soft exoskeleton under the old one.

To molt, the shrimp absorbs some of the minerals from the old shell then splits it open along the back or head region. It carefully backs out of this shell then rapidly expands its new soft body with water and air to stretch to size. The new exoskeleton quickly hardens but remains flexible for 1-2 days while the shrimp eats voraciously to regain lost minerals.

Ra Ra Shrimp Habitat and Care

In nature, ra ra shrimp live in slow-moving freshwater rivers, streams, irrigation ditches, ponds, and flooded rice paddies across Southeast Asia. They prefer shallow, vegetated habitats with soft muddy or silty bottoms and good water quality. Dense vegetation, rocks, driftwood, and other debris provide hiding spots from predators.

Water Conditions

Ideal water conditions for keeping ra ra shrimp in aquaculture or as aquarium pets are:

• Temperature - 75F - 86F (24C - 30C)
• pH - 7.0 - 8.5
• Water Hardness - 5-15 dGH

Regular partial water changes and gravel vacuuming should be performed to remove waste products like molted shells, uneaten food, and feces which can foul the water over time. Good aeration and filtration are also important to maintain healthy oxygen and nutrient levels.

Feeding

Ra ra shrimp are omnivorous opportunistic feeders in the wild, foraging on aquatic plants and scavenging on worms, insects, plankton, and pretty much any organic materials they come across. Their diet should be similarly diverse in captivity for optimal health:

• Fresh vegetables - spinach, zucchini, squash, peas, carrots, etc.
• Fruit - melon, mango, papaya, berry pieces, etc.
• Meaty foods - shrimp, fish, mussel, squid, insect larvae, etc.
• Prepared foods - shrimp pellets, algae wafers, herbivore pellets

Provide a variety of different natural foods for ra ra shrimp to graze on through the day rather than offering a single large feeding. Remove uneaten portions within 12 hours before it spoils and fouls the water. Avoid overfeeding which can lead to higher waste production.

Breeding Ra Ra Shrimp

Due to its rapid growth rate, ability to tolerate higher densities compared to other shrimp species, and marketability, the ra ra shrimp is considered one of the top 3 freshwater aquaculture shrimp species worldwide. Most farmed ra ra shrimp are produced through monoculture in ponds, raceways, or closed recirculating tank systems.

Inducing Spawning

Key conditions to stimulate breeding activity in maturation ponds or breeding tanks are:

• Temperature around 82F (28C)
• pH between 7.5 and 8.5
• Daily water changes of 10-20%
• Shelter for mating using PVC tubes or live plants
• Natural day/night light cycle
• High quality live foods like worm, brine shrimp, etc.

Well-fed adults will readily mate under optimal spawning conditions. The female carries the bright orange eggs for about a month before hundreds of tiny shrimp larvae hatch out and eventually metamorphose through around 12 larval stages before reaching the juvenile stage when they strongly resemble small adults.

Larval Rearing

Raising the microscopic shrimp larvae is the most challenging and mortality-prone stage of production. Larvae require specialist care for 2-3 weeks including:

• Small rearing containers with good aeration and water exchange
• Green planktonic water rich in microalgae
• Newly hatched brine shrimp as first feed
• Later on, crushed shrimp pellets and chopped seafood

Each larval stage lasts just a few days before the next molt so conditions must be stable and food continuously available for the larvae to develop successfully. By stage PL-12 when they resemble very small shrimp, mortality rates decrease dramatically.

Uses for Ra Ra Shrimp

Ra ra shrimp serve several key culinary and aquaculture roles around the world today:

Food Source

Farm-raised ra ra shrimp is an important seafood product in Southeast Asia where freshwater shrimp make up over 20% of shrimp production. Most are sold live, though post-larvae and juveniles are also popular for stocking into rice fields and farm ponds for grow-out culture. The tender white flesh has a sweet mild flavor.

Ornamental Pet

Their bright colors and active nature make ra ra shrimp appealing display animals for freshwater planted aquariums. They should be provided with plenty of live plants for grazing on, driftwood, leaf litter, etc. While adults can show some aggression toward each other, they generally do well in community tanks with small peaceful fish species provided there is ample territory and hiding spots.

Scientific Research

Ra ra shrimp are also useful model organisms for investigating growth, nutrition, reproductive behavior, microbial interactions, comparative endocrinology, and genetics topics applicable to other crustacean species due to their hardy nature, large size compared to other common research shrimp, and amenability to captive breeding.

Summary

With their bright orange coloration marked by thin white bands, ra ra shrimp are one of the most ornamental freshwater shrimp species that has also become an important seafood product and scientific research animal. Native to Southeast Asian rivers and estuaries, they thrive in warm water with clean conditions, shelter, and a varied omnivorous diet. By optimizing spawning and larval rearing protocols, ra ra shrimp can be bred profitability either as a pet, for direct consumption, or for stocking into grow-out ponds.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.