TankBud

Red brick crayfish

Cherax wagenknechtae

Also known as Red chili crayfish, Wagenknecht's crayfish

FreshwaterCrayfish

Red brick crayfish (Cherax wagenknechtae)

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
West Papua streams, Indonesia

Overview

The red brick crayfish is a West Papuan crayfish that patrols the bottom of its own tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The red brick crayfish was named in 2022 after Sahra Wagenknecht, a German politician and author. Its describers have a habit of naming new Papuan crayfish after public figures they admire.

Caring for the red brick crayfish

A single adult red brick crayfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L) of bottom space. Set up the tank with a soft substrate and a choice of caves and pipes to shelter and molt in. Smooth stones and driftwood add more hiding places, and a secure lid keeps it in.

It wants hard, mildly alkaline water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Firm filtration keeps the warm water clean. Feed sinking pellets, wafers and vegetables with an occasional protein treat.

Keep it singly, since a second crayfish means fighting and the risk of a molting animal being eaten. Like all its relatives, it will catch and eat slow tank mates. It is safest alone, or with only fast fish that keep to the upper water.

Breeding is of moderate difficulty, with direct development. The female carries her eggs and then miniature young under her tail, with no larval phase.

Good to know

The red brick crayfish, Cherax wagenknechtae, is a crayfish in the family Parastacidae. Its reddish brown to dark red shell is the source of its red brick and red chili trade names. It is one of the most recently described Papuan crayfish, and its closest relative is the thunderbolt crayfish.

In the wild

The red brick crayfish is endemic to the Beraur and Klasabun river systems in the western Vogelkop peninsula of West Papua. These are warm tropical streams with rock and wood for cover.

Common questions

What size tank does a red brick crayfish need?

A red brick crayfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a red brick crayfish need?

A red brick crayfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a red brick crayfish eat?

A red brick crayfish eats sinking pellets, wafers and vegetables, with an occasional protein treat. It will also catch and eat slow tank mates.

How big does a red brick crayfish get?

An adult red brick crayfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

How does a red brick crayfish breed?

Red brick crayfish are moderate breeders with direct development. The female carries her eggs and then miniature young under her tail, and there is no larval phase.

Related species