Super red crayfish
Cherax boesemani
Also known as Boeseman's crayfish, Irian Jaya 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
- Ajamaru lakes region, West Papua, Indonesia
Overview
The super red crayfish is a bottom-dwelling scavenger from West Papua for a tank of its own. It needs a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
In the wild, the super red crayfish is usually blue, brown or gray. The rich red sold in shops is a color line selected by breeders, not the shade most wild boesemani actually wear.
Caring for the super red crayfish
Give a single super red crayfish at least 20 gal (75 L). Provide a soft substrate, several caves and pipes for shelter, and rockwork. Fit a tight lid, since these animals climb and can leave an open tank.
Keep the water hard and neutral to alkaline, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. With good filtration and steady warmth, it stays out and feeding. Feed sinking pellets, algae wafers and vegetables, and weight an adult's diet toward plant matter.
It is one of the more even-tempered Papuan crayfish, but it will still grab slow fish, shrimp and snails. Tank mates are risky, and it does best alone. Another crayfish means territorial fighting and the danger of cannibalism at molting time.
Breeding is of moderate difficulty, with direct development. The female carries her eggs and then miniature young under her tail, with no free larval stage.
Good to know
The super red crayfish, Cherax boesemani, is a Parastacidae crayfish and one of the larger species in the trade. It was described in 2008 and named after the ichthyologist Marinus Boeseman, who first collected it in the 1950s. It is a hardy, adaptable animal.
In the wild
The super red crayfish comes from the Ajamaru lakes and their river system in the Vogelkop peninsula of West Papua. It lives in warm tropical fresh water with rocky and weedy cover.
Common questions
What size tank does a super red crayfish need?
A super red crayfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a super red crayfish need?
A super red crayfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a super red crayfish eat?
A super red crayfish eats sinking pellets, algae wafers and vegetables, and an adult's diet should lean toward plant matter. It will also grab slow fish, shrimp and snails.
How big does a super red crayfish get?
An adult super red crayfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a super red crayfish breed?
Super red crayfish are moderate breeders with direct development. The female carries her eggs and then miniature young under her tail.
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