Red Kong zebra crayfish
Cherax mosessalossa
Also known as Klademak crayfish, Red 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
- Klademak Creek, Sorong, West Papua, Indonesia
Overview
The red Kong zebra crayfish is a banded Papuan crayfish for the bottom of a tank of its own. It is a sensible pick for a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
The red Kong zebra crayfish's entire known range is one creek system running through the city of Sorong. That makes it one of the most narrowly distributed crayfish anyone keeps.
Caring for the red Kong zebra crayfish
Give one red Kong zebra crayfish at least 20 gal (75 L). It needs a soft bottom, several caves and pipes to defend, and rock and driftwood for cover. Close the tank with a tightly fitting lid.
Aim for 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Hard, alkaline water helps it build a strong shell. Run steady filtration and keep the warmth stable. Feed sinking pellets, algae wafers and blanched vegetables, with meaty foods now and then.
Keeping two crayfish in one tank leads to fighting, and a soft, newly molted animal is an easy meal. A single specimen is the sensible choice. It will take any slow-moving tank mate within reach. Keep it alone, or accept the risk and add only quick fish that stay near the surface.
Breeding is of moderate difficulty, with direct development. The female holds her eggs and then the newly hatched young beneath her tail until they are big enough to leave. There is no free larval stage.
Good to know
The red Kong zebra crayfish, Cherax mosessalossa, is a crayfish in the family Parastacidae. It was described in 2018, and before then it was sold as a red form of the zebra crayfish.
In the wild
The red Kong zebra crayfish lives in the Klademak creek system at Sorong, on the western Bird's Head peninsula of West Papua. The water there is warm and clear, over sand and stone.
Common questions
What size tank does a red Kong zebra crayfish need?
A red 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 red Kong zebra crayfish need?
A red Kong zebra crayfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a red Kong zebra crayfish eat?
A red Kong zebra crayfish eats sinking pellets, algae wafers and blanched vegetables, with meaty foods now and then. It will also take any slow-moving tank mate within reach.
How big does a red Kong zebra crayfish get?
An adult red Kong zebra crayfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a red Kong zebra crayfish breed?
Red Kong zebra crayfish are moderate breeders with direct development. The female holds her eggs and then the newly hatched young beneath her tail until they are big enough to leave.
Related species
4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Apricot crayfish
Cherax holthuisi
4.7 in (12 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Blue Kong zebra crayfish
Cherax alyciae
4.7 in (12 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Irianto red crayfish
Cherax snowden
4.7 in (12 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Red brick crayfish
Cherax wagenknechtae
4.7 in (12 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Super red crayfish
Cherax boesemani
4.7 in (12 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Thunderbolt crayfish
Cherax pulcher
4.7 in (12 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)