Red Swamp Crayfish care guide

Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) — minimum tank 80 L, temperature 18-26 °C, pH 6.5-8.5.

Overview

The Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is a robust, prolific North American freshwater crayfish naturally distributed across the Mississippi drainage with the centre of diversity in Louisiana. Selectively bred colour morphs — red, blue, white, ghost, orange and pumpkin patch — are common in the aquarium trade.

Taxonomy

Family: Cambaridae
Genus: Procambarus
Scientific name: Procambarus clarkii
Common synonyms: Louisiana Crayfish, Crawfish, Mudbug

Habitat

Native to warm, slow-moving and ephemeral waters of the southern United States and north-eastern Mexico. The species tolerates oxygen-poor and turbid conditions, burrows extensively, and breathes air briefly when out of water — adaptations that contribute to its status as one of the world's most invasive crayfish.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 80 L (21.1 US gal)
Adult size: 10-15 cm
Temperature: 18-26 °C (64-79 °F)
pH: 6.5-8.5
GH: 8-20 °dGH
KH: 4-12 °dKH
Lifespan: 3-6 years

Diet

A true omnivore. Procambarus clarkii eats sinking pellets, vegetables, fish carcasses, live snails, plants and any tankmate it can catch. In captivity offer a varied diet including calcium-rich foods to support shell formation.

Compatibility

Predatory and destructive. The species will eat plants, snails and most fish, and will fight conspecifics. It is recommended to keep one specimen alone or in a species-only setup with abundant hiding places. Never house with shrimp.

Breeding

Easy and very prolific. Berried females carry roughly 100-500 eggs under the abdomen for 2-3 weeks. Juveniles cling to the mother briefly after hatching and then disperse. Provide hiding places to reduce cannibalism.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern in its native range. The species is listed as invasive and regulated in many countries (including the European Union under Regulation 1143/2014); keep escape-proof and never release.