Blue Red Claw Crayfish Breeding Guide

Breeding the blue color form of the Australian Red Claw (Cherax quadricarinatus var. 'Blue'): same large size and biology as the wild type, with 300–800 eggs carried on the pleopods and ~6-week incubation.

Overview

The Blue Red Claw is a selectively bred blue color form of Cherax quadricarinatus, sharing the large size and biology of the wild type, which can reach up to 30 cm (12 in) and 600 grams (21 oz). It is the same aquaculture-grade parastacid, very tolerant of environmental changes, kept here as a vivid blue ornamental strain.

Sexing

As in the wild type, adult males show a distinct red patch on the outer margin of the claws, while females lack it and are smaller. The red claw marking remains the reliable sex indicator even in the blue color strain.

Conditioning

Maturity and harvestable size are reached somewhere between six and twelve months under optimal conditions, so robust, well-fed adults make the best breeders. The species' broad tolerance makes conditioning forgiving in a stable, warm tank.

Berried Female & Young

After mating, the male deposits a spermatophore and the female spawns 300–800 olive-green eggs per brood, attached to her pleopods beneath the tail. Incubation takes approximately six weeks, and the newly hatched juveniles rapidly become independent, with no free-swimming larval stage.

Juvenile Care

Large broods mean juveniles need ample space and cover to reduce cannibalism. They are omnivorous and grow readily on prepared and natural foods; blue coloration in the strain develops as the animals mature.