Electric Blue Crayfish Cherax Quadricarinatus 5cm

Overview

The Electric Blue Crayfish is a colour form of the Australian Redclaw, a big, heavily built crayfish in vivid cobalt blue, with males showing red patches on the outer claws. It comes from slow rivers and billabongs of tropical northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It suits keepers wanting a bold, interactive species-tank centrepiece rather than a community pet.

• Adult Size: Around 20–25 cm (8–10 in); males larger
• Lifespan: 4–6 years

Origin

• Native to: Northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea
• Habitat: Slow tropical rivers, lakes and rocky pools with caves

Feeding

• Diet: Omnivorous scavenger
• Preferred Foods: Sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, frozen shrimp, earthworms, leaf litter
• Feeding Habits: Feed juveniles daily, adults three or four times weekly; remove leftovers

Tank Mates

• Best with: Fast, upper-water fish: danios, larger rainbowfish, giant danios, Australian rainbows
• Avoid: Bottom dwellers, slow or long-finned fish, shrimp, snails, other crayfish

Aggression & Behaviour

• Temperament: Opportunistic; catches anything slow enough to grab
• Territoriality: Territorial towards its own kind; needs one cave per animal

Experience Level

• Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
• Challenges: Escapes, uproots plants, vulnerable when moulting, sensitive to copper

Water Parameters

• Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
• Temperature: 23–28°C (73–82°F)
• pH: 7.0–8.5
• Hardness: 5–20 dGH
• Flow: Moderate
• Tank Size: Minimum 120 litres per adult; larger for pairs

Final Notes

It grows fast into a large, powerful animal that will shred live plants and rearrange decor, so set it up as a hardscape tank with caves and a tight, weighted lid. Provide calcium-rich foods and leave the shed shell for it to eat after each moult, when it hides and is vulnerable. Males have wider claws with red margins; females carry eggs under the tail. Sensitive to copper medications. A hardy, engaging crustacean.