Family: Cambaridae
Distribution: The Dwarf Crayfish originates from Lago de Patzcuaro, Mexico.
PH: 6.5 – 8.5
Temperature: 10– 26°C (50 – 79°F)
Hardness: 12 – 15 GH
Description: Male Orange Dwarf crayfish will grow a whopping 4 cm in length; females will be slightly smaller. It will show different tones of orange depending on the individual, and can be moulted or striped. The ones with good genes have a bright orange colouration.
Diet: Crayfish, by nature are scavengers: they’ll eat whatever they can get. Plain shrimp pellets and flake food will do the job; crayfish will sometimes eat their own moults to pick up lost nutrients.
Breeding: The male Orange Dwarf will transfer sperm to the female; she will hold this sperm for as long as she feels it is safe to extract the eggs. Eggs will take around 30 days to hatch. You may have some difficulty breeding this species simply because the young are so small and sensitive.
Comments: You can house many adults in a 10 gallon aquarium. Males can display aggression towards other males. If there is not enough space for the young to move around in, they may cannibalise each other. You might consider using gravel or sands in your aquarium, and make sure you give the cambarellus patzcuarensis plenty of places to hide. You can provide upside down pot-plants as hiding spaces. This species can be difficult to maintain and, as such, is possibly not the best choice for newcomers to the hobby.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Due to its small size, this species will not threaten other tank mates. It can be housed with small, non-aggressive fish.
Originally posted 2009-12-20 10:45:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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