Australian red-clawed crayfish in an aquarium: description, photo, character and maintenance

Any home aquarium would benefit from the colorful and energetic addition of an Australian red-clawed crayfish. This crayfish adds a pop of color and energy to your tank with its vivid red claws and lively demeanor. The red-clawed crayfish may be the ideal choice for anyone seeking an eye-catching and captivating freshwater crustacean.

Originating from Australia’s rivers and streams, these crayfish have successfully acclimated to life in aquariums. Their striking red claws are a symbol of their vitality and health in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. It can be fascinating to watch them investigate and engage with their surroundings.

Australian red-clawed crayfish are renowned for their curious and occasionally aggressive personalities. They can be fairly active, especially during feeding times, and they like having lots of hiding places. They will thrive and exhibit their natural behaviors if their needs are met and their needs are understood.

Creating the ideal habitat for these crayfish in an aquarium requires a large tank with lots of hiding places and a good substrate. To maintain their health, they also have particular dietary and water quality requirements that must be satisfied. We’ll go over all the important information regarding their upkeep, appearance, and behavior in this post to assist you in setting up the ideal environment for your red-clawed crayfish.

Description

The Australian red-clawed crayfish, also referred to as Red Claw, is a vivid example of a decapod crayfish. His appearance brought him a lot of popularity. Furthermore, red claw meat is regarded as a delicacy and tastes nearly as good as lobster. However, aquaristics are popular precisely because of this brightly colored crustacean. A few years ago, it was impossible to find a freshwater pet in a home aquarium, but more and more people are wishing to add Australian Red Claw Crayfish to their aquariums these days.

Observing a crayfish in an aquarium is one of the most thrilling pastimes for an aquarist. Furthermore, this holds true for other crustaceans in addition to red claws. When the crayfish itself chooses what and where to place on the aquarium’s bottom, what are the "rearrangements of furniture" in the tank? The aquarium pet will relocate everything if it determines that’s necessary.

Kindly take note! The crayfish in the aquarium will express its displeasure if anything disturbs the landscape it has created.

What does it look like

The Red Claw is a large crustacean, the size of which can sometimes reach 40 cm, but in aquarium conditions the crayfish does not grow more than 20-25 cm. Outwardly, the red claw crayfish is practically no different from its relatives. All the same two sections – the abdomen and the cephalothorax, covered with a protective layer of chitin . Antennae and eyes act as sensory organs. It is not the structure of the cancer that is noteworthy, but its unusual coloring. The main color of the crustacean"s body is blue or deep blue, but there may be a different color between the segments (from crimson to yellow). In addition, there are small yellow specks all over the body of the freshwater animal.

Crucial! The hardness of the water in the aquarium directly affects the color of the Red Claw’s body. The body will be brighter and have more iridescence the harder it is. The body’s color darkens in soft water.

Where the crayfish lives

It is clear from the name exactly where the crayfish resides. However, it is also visible in the reservoirs of New Guinea in addition to Australia. Shallow rivers, canals, ponds, or still waters are preferred by crustaceans. Crustaceans feel best here.

Since this species cannot be classified as "digging," the red claw crayfish is not fond of disturbing the soil in the aquarium, unlike their relatives, like the Yabby crayfish. Instead of digging holes, the crab prefers to search for self-made shelter in the shape of stones, snags, or other ornamental objects. The crayfish’s natural hiding place is beneath the banks’ sloping edges.

Features of maintenance

Due to its size, the Australian red-clawed crayfish requires a large aquarium. A minimum 150-liter tank is required for two to three people. It is critical that the bottom area be quite large. Even though crustaceans hardly ever escape from aquariums, it is still advisable to install a special cover as a safety precaution.

A thin layer of soil covers the aquarium’s bottom, and ornamental items like tiny stones or artificial plants are arranged on top. The crayfish will arrange them wherever it deems appropriate in the aquarium, constructing a cozy haven for itself in the process.

Aquarium requirements

It is advised to add almond or dry oak leaves to the aquarium containing crayfish. This will provide pets with healthy food in addition to creating a suitable habitat for crustaceans that will resemble the natural one very little. A powerful filter that can keep the aquarium’s water quality at the right level must be installed in the aquarium. Aeration should also be present in the tank and operate continuously.

Reminder: It is crucial to aerate aquarium water during the warm season, when the temperature rises and the oxygen content falls.

Replacement water should be added to the aquarium on a regular basis, with at least 20% change recommended by experts. By doing this, nitrogen compounds in water won’t build up. It’s best to use specialized air conditioners, like Tetra Crusta Aquasafe, to prepare fresh water. He completes his task with effectiveness. The preparation will eliminate all heavy metals, chlorine, and other compounds from aquarium water almost instantly after use.

Feeding

Similar to most other crustaceans, red claws are omnivores. It can consume nearly anything that is available:

• snails;
• small crayfish;
• frogs;
• fish.

Since crayfish enjoy variety, it’s a good idea to occasionally add new "dishes" to the diet. They can only receive the most nutrients and, consequently, health, because of the variety of their diet. In the wild, crayfish consume leaves from various trees on a nearly daily basis. These leaves have a regular sanitizing effect on the body.

The following foods are suggested to be fed to Australian red-claw crayfish:

• boiled and finely wiped vegetables;
• hard grades of bread;
• larvae ;
• rainworms or Moths ;
• eggshell;
• Chicken eggs.

Aquarium pets will enjoy eating any of the aforementioned products. However, because cancer progresses slowly, he might not have enough time to finish eating the food before it starts to crumble. To prevent contamination, it is crucial to change the aquarium’s water on a regular basis.

Compatibility with other species

Although the red-claw crayfish has a frightening and vicious appearance, practice has shown that it actually poses very little threat to other aquarium inhabitants. Little shrimps can also be placid when they are around crayfish. Rarely, if a crayfish is sufficiently ravenous, it will attack small fish. However, this is untrue for live plants and snails, which the Red Claw will gladly include in its diet. Furthermore, the crayfish has no problem consuming fish caviar.

The Australian red-claw crayfish’s ideal neighbors are:

• tarakatums;
• ancistrus;
• ternetia;
• rainbowfish;
• barbs;
• swordtails;
• mollies.

Adding aggressive species to crustaceans is strictly discouraged because they can injure crayfish during their molting season. This first affects species like acaras, astronotuses, and large cichlazomas.

Moulting

Every crustacean undergoes a periodic moult, removing their protective chitinous layer that keeps them from developing any further. The outer shell eventually regrows, but crayfish are extremely susceptible to mechanical harm when they are molting. Other aquarium occupants or decorative items may cause damage to them.

Crayfish conceal themselves inside their shelters and make every effort not to poke their heads outside of them during the moulting process. When the chitinous shell has fully recovered, crayfish will be able to resume their former lifestyle. The age of the animal and the composition of its food are two examples of variables that can impact the frequency of moulting.

Reproduction

A red-claw crayfish’s reproductive cycle may span up to three seasons. This is a useful indicator, particularly for crayfish breeders who keep aquariums. The female lays over 1300 eggs every time, and the eggs hatch in 1.5–2 months. The aquarium’s water temperature has an impact on the rate at which embryos develop. Naturally, the majority of these embryos pass away before becoming adults. Because no two people are alike in their growth, the stronger ones usually survive.

Take note: Carnibalism is common among small crustaceans. Furthermore, adult crayfish have no problem consuming their own young.

Adding Australian red-clawed crayfish to your aquarium can give it a distinctive and dynamic touch. With their eye-catching red claws and lively demeanor, these colorful crustaceans are certain to draw attention and ignite discussions. Both novices and seasoned hobbyists find them to be a popular option due to their unique appearance and entertaining antics.

It’s important to take into account the unique requirements of red-clawed crayfish when setting up an aquarium for them. They do best in ordered settings with lots of hiding places and a diverse diet. Due to their territorial nature, they will require a lot of room to carve out their own territory and stay out of trouble. Your crayfish will remain healthy and vibrant if you provide them with regular maintenance, which includes checking the water’s quality and giving them a balanced diet.

Australian red-clawed crayfish have a unique and entertaining personality. They behave in an inquisitive and occasionally audacious manner, enthusiastically investigating their surroundings. Their interactions with other residents of the tank can be entertaining as well as instructive, providing a glimpse into their intricate social dynamics.

All things considered, red-clawed crayfish from Australia can make wonderful additions to your aquarium. They’ll add some color and excitement to your aquatic world with the correct setup and care. You can create a thriving environment that supports their growth and enhances your aquarium experience by getting to know their needs and behaviors.

The Australian red-clawed crayfish is a unique and energetic addition to any aquarium, and it might be the ideal choice for you. Everything you need to know about these intriguing crustaceans is covered in this article, including information on their appearance, behavior, and maintenance needs. You’ll see some amazing pictures, understand what makes them unique, and discover how to maintain their happiness and health in your tank.

Video on the topic

Maturity and fertilization of eggs in the Australian red-claw crayfish

Mating a female with a male Australian red-claw crayfish and determining sex.

MARBLED CRAYFISH. KEEPING AND BREEDING IN AN AQUARIUM