TankBud

One species · 1 variety

Yabby

Cherax destructor

Also known as Common yabby, White yabby, Cherax albidus

FreshwaterCrayfish

Yabby (Cherax destructor)
TarnishedPath · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–79°F
18–26°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
32 gal
120 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg carrier · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Parastacidae
Origin
Southeastern Australia, including the Murray-Darling basin

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Overview

The yabby is a large, hardy Australian crayfish for a species tank. It digs, rearranges decor and eats plants, so it suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

When its dam or creek dries out, a yabby digs down to damp soil and seals itself into a burrow. It waits out the drought there until rain refills the water above it.

Caring for the Yabby

Give one yabby at least 32 gal (120 L), with as much floor space as you can. Add a deep, soft substrate for burrowing, sturdy caves and a tight lid, since yabbies climb out along cords and decor. It digs and uproots plants, so choose hardy or floating ones.

A yabby needs no heater and handles a wide, cool range of 64 to 79°F (18 to 26°C). Keep the water hard, with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0.

Feed sinking pellets, wafers and blanched vegetables, with the odd worm or shrimp. It scavenges anything it can reach, including fish that rest near the bottom.

Keep one yabby per tank, since adults fight and eat each other, especially after a molt. A breeding pair needs a much larger tank with plenty of caves. Fast, healthy fish can share the tank, but slow or long-finned fish get caught.

The female carries up to 400 eggs under her tail for four to six weeks. The young hatch as tiny crayfish and stay with her until they are independent, with no free larval stage. Move them out early, since adults and siblings eat them.

Good to know

The yabby, Cherax destructor, is a freshwater crayfish in Parastacidae, the crayfish family of the southern hemisphere. The white yabby of western Victoria and South Australia is now treated as its subspecies, Cherax destructor albidus. Many shops still sell it as Cherax albidus. Plan for an adult of 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm), measured without the claws. Pond animals occasionally reach 10 in (25 cm).

In the wild

Yabbies live in slow rivers, swamps, billabongs and farm dams across southeastern Australia, including the Murray-Darling basin. These waters swing widely in temperature and can dry out in summer, so the species is tough and adaptable. Farm dams carried it far beyond its old range, and it is now established in Western Australia.

Common questions

What size tank does a Yabby need?

A Yabby needs at least 32 gal (120 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Yabby need?

A Yabby is comfortable at 64–79°F (18–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does a Yabby eat?

A yabby eats sinking pellets, wafers, blanched vegetables and the odd worm or shrimp. It scavenges anything it can reach, including slow fish.

How big does a Yabby get?

An adult Yabby reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a Yabby breed?

Yabbies are moderate breeders with direct development. The female carries up to 400 eggs under her tail for four to six weeks, then the young until they are independent.

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