Zebra crayfish
Cherax peknyi
Also known as Tiger crayfish, Pekny's 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
- Southern New Guinea rivers, Papua Province, Indonesia
Overview
The zebra crayfish is the most commonly kept of the Papuan crayfish, a bottom dweller for a tank of its own. A keeper with a little experience can manage it.
Did you know
The zebra crayfish has a long, toothed spike between its eyes, called the rostrum. It is one of the features scientists use to tell it apart from the many similar Papuan crayfish it is often confused with.
Caring for the zebra crayfish
Give a single zebra crayfish at least 20 gal (75 L) of floor space. Provide a soft substrate and a range of caves and pipes to shelter in, with smooth rocks and driftwood for cover and territory. Fit a tight lid to prevent escapes.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Good filtration keeps the warm water clean and well oxygenated. Feed sinking pellets, algae wafers and vegetables, with occasional protein.
It is fairly confident and calm, but it is still an opportunist that will catch slow fish and eat shrimp and snails. Keep it by itself. Housing two invites fighting and cannibalism, especially when one is soft after molting.
Breeding is of moderate difficulty, with direct development. The female carries her eggs and then tiny young under her tail, with no larval stage.
Good to know
The zebra crayfish, Cherax peknyi, is a crayfish in the family Parastacidae. It is marked with charcoal bands over a pale ground, the pattern behind its zebra and tiger trade names. It was described in 2008.
In the wild
The zebra crayfish lives in warm streams of southern New Guinea, over sand and stone in clear, flowing water.
Common questions
What size tank does a zebra crayfish need?
A zebra crayfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a zebra crayfish need?
A zebra crayfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a zebra crayfish eat?
A zebra crayfish eats sinking pellets, algae wafers and vegetables, with occasional protein. It will also catch slow fish and eat shrimp and snails.
How big does a zebra crayfish get?
An adult zebra crayfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a zebra crayfish breed?
Zebra crayfish are moderate breeders with direct development. The female carries her eggs and then tiny young under her tail.
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