Family: Cambaridae
Distribution: Procambarus versutus, known commonly as the Sly Crayfish, is distributed in North America from Alabama’s Mobile River drainage east to the Chattahoochee-Apalachicola drainage in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
PH: 7.0 – 8.0 (but it is quite tolerant).
Temperature: 18 – 26°C (64 – 79°F)
Hardness: 6 – 20 dH
Description: Procambarus versutus has a black-splotched tail and small, black bumps on its large claws. Its carapace is adorned with cream and black markings on top of a tan base colour. It has two very distinctive spines that sit either side of its carapace. This species has a maximum length of 7 cm and its colour can change after each moult.
Diet: This species is omnivorous, but it will not attack your plants. Feed it a typical crayfish diet of fish pellets, flake, frozen shrimp, and vegetables.
Breeding: The Sly Crayfish breeds as per most Procambarus. There is not a great deal of breeding information available on this species.
Comments: You can easily keep one pair of Sly Crayfish in a tank 60 cm x 30 cm. This species is unlikely to eat your plants, so feel free to adorn your tank with plenty of plant life and hiding spaces.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: While there is not a great deal of information available on recommended compatible species, Procambarus versutus is mild-mannered enough to be housed with prawns, shrimp, fish and snails. This species is perfect in both a community tank environment and in a one-species tank. It is also unlikely to attack within its own species.
