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30.03.2010Cherax peknyi - Zebra or Tiger CrayfishThe Tiger- or Zebra- crayfish (Cherax peknyi) comes from New Guinea, where it lives in lakes and rivers. It is first described in 2008 by Christian Lukhaup and Brett Herbert and was previously often referred to as Cherax sp. zebra or tiger or Cherax cf. papuanus.
DescriptionThe biggest of my Zebra- crayfish are about 12 cm large without the antennas and thus a quite impressive aquarium inhabitants. They can become about 3 years, while adult males have larger claws as the females and are stronger built. My crayfish have small, white stripes on the carapace in contrast to the form which is called Tiger crayfish with broader, orange-yellow stripes. Noteworthy are also the red-white-bluish claws, but also the orange-red tail. So the crayfish are very attractive colored. 
KeepingThe Zebra- crayfish living together with Ancistrus plecos and Red Fire shrimps. Both the plecos and the shrimps are largely ignored by the crayfish. I couldn't recognize any event on sustained hunting or even a capture. However, that was diffrent as I wanted to put the Zebra- crayfish transitionaly together with my Sturisoma-Whiptails. The crayfish have seen the calm Sturisomas as possible prey. Before they made an effort to escape bite marks were found. That was to risky for my and I quickly moved them to another aquarium. The temperature would not have been ideal anyway, because the Whiptails prefer warmer water. Under no circumstances, the Zebra- crayfish should be co-housed with American crayfish, as they are immune to the crayfish plague, but can act as a carrier for the disease. 
My Zebra- crayfish like hiding in the caves of the high-piled slate, but even come out during the day, especially on feeding, although they are more active at night. They are also not shy during the day, but rather curious and try to catch everything that is hold in the water. Even the tube for water changes is tested extensively on feeding possibilities Special caution must be advised that the Zebra- crayfish have no way to leave the aquarium. They are even able to climb up the cord of the heater and also can slide light covers. Even if they can survive longer periods on land, they are of course drying after a time, when you note the flight to late. It was happened to me with a male that probably wanted to look for a new pond after mating. I have found another crayfish early enought and set it overnight in a covered basin with 2 cm water level so that the gills became wet again. A direct reset into the aquarium can lead to drowning if the gills are dried. The Zebra- crayfish has stayed the night on land unscathed. The crayfish take almost everything for feeding, for example, fish food, vegetables and salad. As a special delicacy my Zebra- crayfish crack horn snails. The best way is to offer them a lot of dried beech or oak leaves. The crayfish nibble constantly at it and it should also prevent skinning problems. Dried leaves can also serve very well as a holiday food because it can be given in stock and should anyway make up the main part of their food. 
BreedingOver time, I had several clutches each with about 50 eggs but I could never observe a mating behavior. It probably always occurs at night. The female retirs after mating, so I can make no precise statement on the gestation period. After I recognized eggs on the females, it still took several weeks until the little crayfish went their own ways. It is very interesting to observe how the female take care for the eggs until they hatch. Even after hatching the smal crayfisch hang for a long time under the tail of the femal bustling around. I have always left the smal crayfish in their parents bassin and always some survived. For intensive breeding, probably a separate breeding tank with many hiding places is needed, because the crayfish tend to cannibalism, particularly against recently skinned conspecifics, without enough hiding places. ConclusionZebra- crayfish are very attractive, interesting and also largely peaceful aquarium inhabitants that may be associated with not too lazy fish and shrimp. A conservation in the community tank with peacefull fish is easy. So overall a very good and easy to keep crayfish. © Andreas Jδger |
