Red Claw Crayfish care guide
Red Claw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) — minimum tank 200 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 7-8.5.
Overview
The Red Claw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is a large Australian freshwater crayfish reaching 25 cm. Mature males develop a striking red patch on the outer edge of the claws — the feature that gives the species its common name. It is widely farmed for aquaculture and kept by hobbyists in large aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Parastacidae
- Genus: Cherax
- Scientific name: Cherax quadricarinatus
- Common synonyms: Redclaw, Australian Red Claw
Habitat
Native to rivers and lakes of tropical northern Australia (Northern Territory and northern Queensland) and southern Papua New Guinea. The species favours warm, well-oxygenated, hard, alkaline freshwater with abundant cover.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (52.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 18-25 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7-8.5
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- KH: 6-14 °dKH
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
An omnivore. The diet includes sinking pellets, vegetables, occasional protein (fish, mussels), and live snails. Provide calcium-rich foods or cuttlebone to support shell formation, especially around moulting.
Compatibility
Large and predatory. Cherax quadricarinatus will hunt fish, eat plants and fight conspecifics. Solo keeping or species-only setups with multiple hideouts are recommended. Do not mix with shrimp or smaller invertebrates.
Breeding
Intermediate difficulty. Berried females carry around 100-1,000 eggs under the abdomen for 6-10 weeks; juveniles release as miniature crayfish. The species is commercially farmed because of its high yield.