Long Claw River Prawn, Shrimp of the Rio, Fresh Water Shrimp
Chacal, Cauque Pinze Larga
(Macrobrachium tenellum)

Long Claw River Prawn, Macrobrachium tenellum: The Long Claw River Prawn is light brown with an iridescent blue-green tinge. Interestingly the Long Claw River Prawn carrieds it claws differently; the smaller left claw is always open, while the larger right claw is held closed. The longer claw is approximately 1.5 times longer than the length of the body. The body is approximately 3 inches in length and varies in weight from 4 grams to 9 grams.

Distribution in Mexico

In Mexico, the Long Claw River Prawn is found in the fresh water rivers that empty into the Sea of Cortez south of Loreto and along the coast of the mainland south to Guatemala. It is collected and sold commercially in the State of Guerrero, just north of Acapulco.

The Long Claw River Prawn is a decapod crustacean belonging to the Palaemonidae Family, characterized by members having a prominent rostrum (beak) and an abdomen bearing a tail fan.

They have eyes that are on stalks, and the carapace (shell) completely covers the dorsal and lateral thorax.

They have long thin legs with the second pair longer than the first and they have moderately large chelae (claws).

They are found only in fresh water. Prawns can be distinguished from Crayfish (Parasticidae Family) and Shrimp (Atyidae Family) by the relative proportions of the first and second legs, by the relatively slender chelae on those legs, and by the third pair of legs that lack chelae.

Long Claw River Prawn picture 1

Long Claw River Prawn picture 2

Long Claw River Prawn, Macrobrachium tenellum: First example (upper photo) caught in August 2005, and second example (lower photo) caught in January 2011. Size between 2.5 and 3.0 inches. Both were caught by locals utilizing a cast net at the mouth of the San Jose Rio during breaches in the levy, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Note the apparent development of the claws between January and August. Used as a superior live bait by surf fishermen. Photos courtesy of John Snow.

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