The giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii was brought to Brazil from Malaysia in 1977 for shrimp farming. It has since spread to various natural environments in Brazil, with reports in 80 different sites across the country. The prawn is found in eight states and 43 cities in the wild, with the most reports in Pará and Maranhão. It is also present in shrimp farming ponds in 13 states. The prawn prefers temperatures of 25°C or higher. Its distribution has expanded significantly in Brazil, reaching more areas than previously known.