Zebra crayfish (Cherax papuanus)

Scientifically referred to as *Cherax papuanus*, the zebra crayfish is a unique and striking species that is indigenous to Papua New Guinea. Because of its striking black-and-white striped pattern, which is evocative of a zebra, aquarium enthusiasts who value distinctive and colorful aquatic life frequently choose it.

The Zebra crayfish, in contrast to many other crayfish species, is renowned for having a calm temperament, which makes it appropriate for community tanks under the correct circumstances. To maintain its health and well-being, it has particular needs and preferences, just like any other crayfish.

Everything you need to know about keeping Zebra crayfish in your aquarium will be covered in this article, from feeding and maintenance advice to tank setup and water parameters. Whether you’re an experienced hobbyist or a novice, knowing what this fascinating species needs will help you provide your zebra crayfish with a healthy habitat.

Introduction

Inhabits Papua New Guinea’s reservoirs. It thus acquired the species name "papuanus."

As long as the fish, shrimp, and other aquarium inhabitants do not attack this crayfish, it gets along just fine with them. Insufficient territory or shelters can occasionally lead to intraspecific aggression.

By crayfish standards, the zebra crayfish is relatively small. During the course of importing and selling these animals for a year, we only found one specimen that measured eighteen centimeters; the rest ranged from six to fourteen centimeters. Nonetheless, locals assert that there were 20 cm herakses back in the "old days."

Transporting crayfish one per bag works best. If the purse is black, that is even better. The crayfish feels safe and is less concerned in such a bag.

The process of getting used to the water in the aquarium is simple. After confirming that the animal is fresh, that its temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, and that the water temperature difference between the aquarium and the bag containing the crayfish is no more than three degrees, the new addition can be let loose into the water. Most crayfish that experience such a "adaptation" instantly "die" and lie with their paws up on the bottom, looking unhappy. The crayfish will "come to life" when you count to thirty, so don’t rush to get the "corpse."

Several times, this acting has fooled us into thinking that the crayfish, after a lengthy flight from their home country, were barely alive. In any state, they can act the part.

Conditions of maintenance

Temperature between 18 and 30 °C, ideally between 20 and 25 °C. We have them living in both very hard and soft water, so hardness is irrelevant. Ph index ranges from 6.5-2.3. Aquarium capacity: up to 20 liters for a single specimen. We house 12–15 pieces in 80-liter aquariums, but crayfish also require an equal amount of shelter in the form of bamboo tubes, snags, etc.

Crayfish don’t care what kind of water the water is. Only an overabundance of ammonia, ammonium, and nitrites in the water poses a threat to crayfish life.

The crayfish typically lives on the bottom of the aquarium and makes no attempt to escape. However, the crayfish can escape the aquarium if the water quality declines or if the oxygen content drops suddenly. At that point, they will actively look for land to save themselves. They also attempt to crawl out of the aquarium to avoid the violence of their larger relatives, especially when there is an abundance of crayfish or not enough shelter.

When everything is in order, the crayfish actively crawls along the bottom to investigate its surroundings and look for food. Crayfish occasionally get into fights, but these rarely result in self-harm. Usually, the person who loses just leaves. When heroes with roughly equal strength and determination engage in combat, one of them may lose a claw in the process.

Limbs that have been severed have an astonishing rate of regeneration. After the initial molt, a new claw is roughly one-third the size of the old one. It’s the same story with the other limbs.

The crayfish molts once every three months or so as it grows. The size and diet of the crayfish have a significant impact on the amount of time it takes between molts.

These crayfish seem to have an unclear attitude toward plants. With the exception of creating small, shallow holes in the ground, where crayfish occasionally hide, we did not observe any damage to the plants. However, despite not touching other plants, one of the purchasers claimed that his specimen thinned out the long-stemmed plant in the aquarium.

Nutrition

Plant-me-meal gives zebras food. We give them spinach and spirulina pills to eat. Crayfish frequently choose short flakes as well.

Bold black and white stripes make the Zebra crayfish (Cherax papuanus) a striking and resilient freshwater species. This crayfish, which is native to Papua New Guinea, is well-known for its adaptability and tranquil temperament, which makes it a great option for aquarium owners. It can flourish in a well-kept tank with the right care, bringing interesting visuals and distinctive behavior to the aquatic setting.

Sexual dimorphism

The literature does not discuss sexual differences, but we have identified telltale signs that make it simple to tell males from females. Examine the base of the cancer paws on the final pair with great care (see photos). They are smooth in females, as seen in picture 1. As seen in the second picture, the males have a bump there. Although its function is unknown, it is most likely required to hold the female during mating.

Cherax papuanus, commonly known as the Zebra Crayfish, is an intriguing and distinctive addition to any aquarium due to its eye-catching black and white stripes. It can become the focal point of a well-kept tank due to its eye-catching colors and fascinating behavior.

Even though zebra crayfish are fairly resilient, they still need special attention to survive. This entails keeping the water clean, offering lots of hiding places, and making sure the food is balanced. They will live a long, healthy life in your aquarium if you understand their needs.

You can enjoy seeing these fascinating creatures grow and exhibit their natural behaviors by creating an environment that closely resembles their natural habitat. Regardless of your level of experience, the Zebra Crayfish can be

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