Tiger Crayfish (Cherax peknyi)
| Tiger Crayfish Cherax peknyi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Tiger Crayfish |
| Name Lat. | Cherax peknyi |
| Family | Southern Hemisphere Crayfishes |
| Family lat. | Parastacidae |
| Order | Decapods |
| Order lat. | Decapoda |
| Origin | New Guinea |
| Habitat | Streams |
| Diet | Carrion, leaves, crayfish food |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 4-6 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10-12 cm |
| Temperature | 18-25 °C |
| Hardness | 8-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 100 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4"-5" |
| Temperature | 64-77 °F |
| Hardness | 142-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 25 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The mainly nocturnal zebra crabs originate from New Guinea. They live in the south of the island in slow-flowing streams and stagnant waters with bottoms covered with fallen leaves, where they usually hide under stones and roots during the day.
Maintenance
They need a well-structured aquarium with roots, stones and robust plants, with hiding places (caves, crab tubes) and a moderate current. The substrate should be sand or gravel, partially covered with foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves, oak leaves).
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable in the aquarium water, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the size of the aquarium is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals. When choosing the filter, special care should be taken to ensure that the animals cannot be sucked in.
Diet
They feed on animal organisms, carrion and dead plant material. The food supply consists of live food, such as daphnia, artemia and fish, which is also easily accepted frozen, as well as foliage (e.g. oak, beech, maple, birch) or a commercial crayfish food (pellets, granules). Occasionally, vegetable food in the form of spirulina, kelp, or scalded leafy vegetables should be offered.
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Unaccepted food must be removed after 2-3 hours.
Behaviour and compatibility
They behave peacefully within the species, but also towards other crayfish, therefore the keeping of several pairs or groups in a larger and richly structured tank is well possible. They can be socialized with shrimps, snails and peaceful fish, but it is better to keep them in a species tank.
Basically, only compatible animals with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Reproduction and breeding
Males can be identified by the gonopods (mating styli) on the abdomen of the underside of the body
During mating, the male turns the female onto her back shortly after her molt and transfers a sperm package with his gonopods. The female carries the eggs (30-40 of them) on her pleopods (webbed feet) and supplies them with oxygen by movement (fanning). Dead or non-developing eggs are eaten by the female. The young hatch after about 4 weeks.
Important
It can happen that a crayfish is missing a claw. Usually it is females that have lost a claw during mating. The missing claw slowly grows back during the following molts. The strong claws are also used for digging.
The well-being of the animals should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced animals must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Barbara Pachner; Image: Merz Zierfischgroßhandel
Source: LUKHAUP & PEKNY (2008): Süßwasserkrebse aus aller Welt, Dähne Verlag; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch