Australian Yabby crayfish

The Australian Yabby crayfish may be the ideal addition to your aquarium if you’re fascinated by aquatic life and want to give it a special touch. These Australian-native crustaceans are well-known for their remarkable looks and fascinating habits. They are a striking addition to any tank because of their vivid colors and vivacious personality.

Because of their adaptability and relative hardiness, Australian yabbies are a fantastic option for aquarists of all skill levels. They add a pop of color to your aquatic setup because they come in a variety of colors, ranging from vivid reds to deep blues. As they explore and engage with their surroundings, it can be quite entertaining to watch their inquisitive nature and playful antics.

Seeing Yabbies in their natural habitat is one of the most fascinating parts of owning them. Since they are naturally burrowers, it is crucial to provide a substrate in which they can dig and hide. Another feature that increases their attraction is their amazing molting process, in which they shed their old exoskeleton.

All things considered, the Australian Yabby crayfish can add a great deal of beauty and intrigue to your aquarium. These vibrant crabs can flourish and take center stage in your aquatic ecosystem with a little TLC and attention to their requirements.

Appearance of the Australian crayfish

Picture of Australian blue crayfish

Yabby’s cephalothorax, abdomen, and tail resemble those of other crayfish. Its legs are for swimming and walking. The mouth, eyes, antennae, and big claws are all in their proper places.

An adult (20 cm) appears remarkable and, dare I say it, glitzy. Each person associates this shine and sophistication differently; for some, it will evoke images of a knight in armor, for others, heraldic symbols, and still others, a character from a fairy tale. The palette is similar to different sea shades, though there are occasional slight variations in color. Ultramarine is the most widely used.

Features of the behavior of the Australian crayfish

The blue crayfish has an impressive lifespan of up to ten years, which is nice. With its massive claws, it can fight or peacefully dig its burrow, threaten an enemy, and reach below the surface. Males carry females’ claws with them during mating, demonstrating the additional need for claws. Legs and the tail facilitate movement.

It is prepared to defend itself without a propensity for attack. It is also referred to as a "destroyer"—Cherax Destructor Yabby. This refers to its capacity to rip the soil found at the bottom, not to its aggression.

They refer to Yabbi as "intellectual." It is perfectly oriented in space, and he has the ability to memorize locations. He can also identify relatives with ease. Long antennae and watchful eyes serve him well in life.

Author Daria Andreevna Moore’s observations:

Emotions run high in blue cancer. He might glance out of the shell to see a naive pug with the words, "Hello, what are we peering here!" Or when it’s not happy with my intervention in its underwater habitat, threaten with a claw like a fist. His eyes are so meaningful to me, and he never simply "wishes" the aquarium to be that way. Instead, he always finds a task to complete before moving the shell and moving the pebble.

Yabbi is a well-socialized breed, meaning that its members interact with one another. However, this is more applicable to heterosexual cancers, which peacefully interact after first dividing the area. It’s interesting to note that the male stores the female’s eggs in a shelter-hole during her fertile period. He tries to stop his girlfriend from finding shelter—even from searching for food—in order to maintain the clan.

Insights from Daria Andreevna Moore

My cancer Knowing when he will be fed, Yabby stands with his claws outstretched to snatch the catfish pills as they fly by and retreats into his den for a peaceful meal.

Blue cancer photo from Australia

Water containing oxygen is essential for these "Australian guests." Since it can result in their death, its absence is contraindicated in cases of cancer. Furthermore, there is no harm at all from Yabbi’s cool water. Fifteen degrees is a perfect temperature for them. It is thought that their spread is aided by higher temperatures. Nevertheless, because crayfish age more quickly in warm water, it is not advisable to keep the temperature there for an extended period of time. However, water can have almost any degree of stiffness.

The aquarium’s volume ought to be adequate. Better yet, 70 liters or more. A couple of crayfish are kept and reproduced in large 200-300 liter containers. Because they can survive for extended periods of time in the same water, crayfish are indifferent to the regularity of water changes, which is quite normal for swamp animals. It is advised not to misuse this, though, as it is standard yabbie care to change the water once a week by approximately 25% of the volume.

Feeding Australian crayfish

In the wild, the yabby crayfish consumes everything edible that it finds on the lakebed. The omnivorous crayfish will consume everything, including dead fish, eggs, larvae, and plants. Even though yabbies engage in conflict and are capable of self-defense, they cannot be classified as hunters.

Pulverized eggshells will work well as a garnish. Other minerals and calcium are needed for the chitinous shell. Certain foods are specifically designed for crayfish, such as Tetra Crusta Granules, which is a meal for both shrimp and crayfish. However, daphnia, tubifex, and bloodworms are also appropriate. Naturally, plants are necessary, or at least vegetables. A small addition of pumpkin or carrots, for instance, will be easily consumed by the crayfish. We add oak and almond leaves to the crayfish tanks because the microflora that grows on them is something the fish enjoy.

In its natural habitat, floating plants are preferred by the Australian blue crayfish because it enjoys "digging up" the bottom. The aquarium is furnished with stones, driftwood, and different types of shelters for the yabbies.

Notes from Daria Andreevna Mur:

When I enter my yabby crayfish’s territory to level the dirt it has dug up or fix coconut shells, it becomes extremely irate, considering itself a landscape designer. With a motion akin to "Go away, stupid person, you don’t understand anything about aquarium design and underwater feng shui, I’ll still redo everything," it flees to the other corner and waves its claws at me from there.

Australian yabby crayfish are unusual and fascinating additions to backyard ponds and freshwater aquariums. In addition to being fascinating to watch due to their vivid colors and unusual claws, these hardy crustaceans are essential to the ecological balance of their natural environment. They are a rewarding choice for enthusiasts who are prepared to provide the proper environment for these lively and engaging pets, as understanding their needs, behaviors, and ideal living conditions can enhance their care in an aquarium setting.

Reproduction and mating games of Australian crayfish

Picture of Australian blue crayfish

The sociality of blue beauties is manifested in communication with the opposite sex. Before performing the natural act of procreation, they begin to communicate. They are interested in the habitat of their partner, visit him. Such friendship-love ends cheerfully and positively: the male arranges a game of "tag". And, of course, catches his girlfriend. She has to give in: the games are over. After about 15 days, the female produces eggs: they are brownish-olive in color. The female yabby does not shed eggs, small crustaceans are attached to the pleopods. A special spawning aquarium is required for reproduction. There are many crustaceans, at first they are timid, stick close to each other. But, growing up, they begin to conflict with each other.

Differentiating between a male and a female is not always simple. Experts surmise that the female has a larger abdomen and the male has larger claws and a head. A more significant detail is that the male’s final set of walking legs has unique spikes.

Compatibility of the Australian crayfish with other inhabitants

As young fish start to mature, it’s best to put them in separate aquariums. Regretfully, they are intolerant of one another. And they start engaging in overly aggressive territorial warfare, wiping out their own kind. Furthermore, adult individuals are only allowed to live together in the same aquarium as a pair—a male and a female. Yabby progeny receive favorable treatment. Furthermore, it is crucial and difficult to keep tiny crustaceans safe from one another. They are quick and nimble, so you’ll need to catch them slowly and for a long time.

Instead of hunting fish, blue "knights" will remove any dead fish from the aquarium. Live-bearing fish and shrimps get along well with jabby crayfish. They will destroy if they are put in the same container as those that leave eggs. Additionally, he won’t last very long with the aggressive fish.

Picture of Australian blue crayfish

Remarks from Daria Andreevna Mur

My aquarium’s blue crayfish gets along well with danios, caramel tetras, ancistrus catfish, and neons. The only thing that bothers people about him is that he occasionally "hunts" for danio veil tails. Alternatively, extending both claws, akin to a monster, frightens the anciks and pushes them toward the bottom as a preventative measure. However, why do they lie there on the pebbles like "logs" until they "jump" onto the aquarium’s walls?

Yabby crayfish from Australia are an amazing addition to any aquarium. They are a special option for both beginning and seasoned aquarists due to their vivid colors and intriguing behaviors. To make sure they flourish in their new habitat, it’s critical to comprehend their unique requirements, just like with any aquatic species.

Although these crayfish are incredibly adaptive and hardy, they do have certain needs. To keep them happy and healthy, provide them a large tank, the right kind of water, and hiding places. A stable habitat and the prevention of problems depend on routine environmental maintenance and observation.

When it comes to their behavior, yabbies are infamous for being territorial and exhibiting sporadic aggressive outbursts, particularly during molting or when living with other species. By keeping these things in mind, you can control their interactions and steer clear of trouble. Their eye-catching appearance and entertaining antics will repay you if you provide them with the right care and environment.

Overall, if you’re ready to meet their needs, Australian Yabby crayfish can be a rewarding addition to your aquarium. These crayfish will give your aquatic setup some beauty and intrigue with the correct arrangement and care.

Video on the topic

Australian Yabby Crayfish and a little about our business!)

Australian Blue Yabby Crayfish Drops Fry

Australian Yabby Crayfish (Cherax destructor)