Crayfish

Swamp dwarf crayfish

Cambarellus puer

Taxonomy

Phylum:: Arthropoda
Subphylum:: Crustacea
Class:: Malacostraca
Order:: Decapoda
Suborder:: Pleocyemata
Family:: Cambaridae
Genus:: Cambarellus

About the species

Key features:: grows to approximately 3 cm, brown coloration, extremely variable patterning, but cannot be reliably distinguished externally from similar species
Origin:: USA
Coloration:: Inconspicuous
Male:: 2–3 cm
Female:: 2–3 cm

Tank

Tank length:: 50–180 cm
Nano tank:: No
Species tank:: No
Min. group:: 5 pcs
Light:: Tolerates strong light
Special requirements:: Hiding places, Roots, Cave

Water parameters

Temperature:: 14–27 °C
pH:: 6–8
GH:: 3–20 °dH
KH:: 3–20 °dH

Food and tankmates

Food

Blanched lettuce

Beech leaves

Cucumber

Carrots

Live food

Catfish tablets

Shrimp compatibility

Shrimp offspring

Dwarf shrimp

Amano shrimp

Breeding

Development type:: Direct (young look like adults)
Number of young:: 50+
Clutch size:: 50+
Frequency:: Every 3-4 weeks

Description

Cambarellus puer is a small, attractive dwarf crayfish that is generally quite peaceful. It can be kept with fish and shrimp, but some losses should be expected. C. puer needs tubes and gaps between rocks where it can remain undisturbed by the other inhabitants during molting.

How breeding happens

Breeding happens almost entirely on its own. Mating is rather spectacular, as one sex pins the other beneath itself and holds it by both claws. A limb may occasionally be lost in the process, but it regrows during the next molt.