Cherax quadricarinatus
| Common Names: | Queensland Redclaw Red claw crayfish Blue crayfish Quad |
| Salinity: | Freshwater |
| Distribution: | This species is found in warm fresh waters in Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia. |
| Care: | Best kept in a spacious, well-filtered and well aerated species tank containing rocks and bog wood for daytime shelter. Unlike crabs, this species does not require any access to land and is generally very easy to keep in the aquarium. |
| Feeding: | Like most other aquatic crustaceans, these crayfish are opportunistic omnivores and will eat anything they get their claws on, from plants, catfish tablets, pieces of vegetable and often fish. They are not safe to be kept in the aquarium alongside fish and will definitely try to eat most fish. Those they can't eat, they will often nip, so mixing them is a definite no-no. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 20cm (7.9") Female: 18cm (7.1") |
| Comments: | Identification of this species can be made by the 4 long distinct carinae (ridges) on the surface of the cephalon (head) hence the name Quadricarinatus. 2-3 days before they moult they will retreat to a hiding place without eating. Allow the moult to remain in the tank for consumption. They moult 3-4 times a year as juveniles & less as they get older. The males have a red claw (hence the common name) which develops with each moult this is absent in females. Also the females have more pigmentation on the thorax & abdomen area than the males |
| Image Credit: | © FishProfiles.com |
| Submitted By: | zale |
| Contributors: | zale, Callatya |
| History: | View changes to this profile |
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