Blue Kong zebra crayfish
Cherax alyciae
Also known as Alycia's crayfish, Blue Kong crayfish
FreshwaterCrayfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- 22–28°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Egg carrier · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Parastacidae
- Origin
- Vogelkop Peninsula streams, West Papua, Indonesia
Overview
The blue Kong zebra crayfish is a territorial crayfish from West Papua for a tank of its own. It suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
The blue Kong zebra crayfish is sold under trade names like Blue Kong and Black Kong, which suggest different animals. All of them are color forms of one species, which was only told apart from the zebra crayfish and described in 2018.
Caring for the blue Kong zebra crayfish
Give a single blue Kong zebra crayfish at least 20 gal (75 L), which leaves an adult enough floor space. Lay a soft bottom, then break up sight lines with a spread of caves, pipes, rockwork, smooth stones and driftwood. Keep the lid firmly closed to stop it climbing out.
It needs warm, hard water on the alkaline side, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Steady filtration keeps that warm water clean and well oxygenated. Feed sinking pellets, algae wafers and blanched vegetables, with an occasional meaty item.
Two of them will fight over territory, and a molting animal is easily killed. Keep it on its own unless the tank is very large. It works the bottom and takes any slow tank mate it can catch, so house it alone or only with quick, upper level fish.
Breeding is of moderate difficulty. The female broods her eggs, then carries miniature, fully formed young under her tail until they are ready to leave. There is no larval stage.
Good to know
The blue Kong zebra crayfish, Cherax alyciae, is a crayfish in the family Parastacidae. Its claws are tipped in blue over an orange and cream body.
In the wild
The blue Kong zebra crayfish comes from clear rainforest streams on the Vogelkop peninsula of West Papua. The water there is warm and tropical, running over sand, stone and leaf litter.
Common questions
What size tank does a blue Kong zebra crayfish need?
A blue Kong zebra crayfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a blue Kong zebra crayfish need?
A blue Kong zebra crayfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a blue Kong zebra crayfish eat?
A blue Kong zebra crayfish eats sinking pellets, algae wafers and blanched vegetables, with an occasional meaty item. It will also take any slow tank mate it can catch.
How big does a blue Kong zebra crayfish get?
An adult blue Kong zebra crayfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a blue Kong zebra crayfish breed?
Blue Kong zebra crayfish are moderate breeders. The female broods her eggs, then carries miniature, fully formed young under her tail until they are ready to leave.
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