Black Scorpion Crab - Cherax holthuisi

The Cherax sp. "Black Scorpion" probably belongs to a new species, it is being scientifically processed at the moment. Its native country is Papua/Indonesia. There you can find the Black Scorpion mainly in running waters and lakes. The Black Scorpion is predominantly black to dark brown and has orange markings on the claw arms and tail fan, sometimes also on the claws and abdomen. It grows between 11 and 15 cm long (measured without claws). Males do not have claw bladders, but the sexes can be distinguished quite easily: the gonopores (sexual openings) of males are located at the origin of the fifth pair of walking legs, while females have these openings at the third pair of legs. There are also hermaphroditic forms, but when mating they behave like males.

These compatible, very attractive crayfish can be kept very well in the aquarium. In well with wood and stones, caves and other hiding places structured tanks from 80 l you can accommodate a pair very well, for several pairs we recommend aquariums from 112 l. The Black Scorpion is hardly swimming and therefore does not need much open water. Structures for climbing and hiding are much more important.

The Cherax sp. "Black Scorpion" hardly eats plants and does not dig heavily, so it can be kept in planted aquariums. Hard-leaved plants like Anubias or Congo fern as well as very fast growing plants like waterweed, nixwort or hornwort are ideal for a Cherax aquarium. Please cover the aquarium absolutely tight, crayfish are escape artists and climb extremely well!

Cherax sp. "Black Scorpion" are omnivores, which besides vegetable food like greens and over-sprouted unsprayed vegetables and brown autumn leaves (which should not be missing in any aquarium with invertebrates) also gladly accept food with animal components. Granulated food, pellets and flake food are also gladly eaten along with frozen food. The absolute hit is of course special food for crayfish.

The Black Scorpion is a rather peaceful crayfish, which is mainly active at night, especially during the acclimation period. Once the Black Scorpion is familiar with its environment, it is also active during the day in the aquarium. It can be socialized very well with medium sized fish of the middle and upper water regions. Weak, but also careless, very curious fish can be caught and eaten under certain circumstances. However, the Black Scorpion does not actively hunt. Please avoid allowing this cherax to come into contact with water containing North American crayfish, or with the crayfish themselves. Crayfish from America are potential carriers of crayfish plague, a disease caused by a parasite that kills the Black Scorption without exception. The Black Scorpion is also incompatible with other crayfish, with crabs, fan shrimp, and with longarm shrimp, but dwarf shrimp are good company - water requirements must be compatible, of course. Snails and mussels are eaten.

As far as water values are concerned, the Cherax sp. "Black Scorpion" is not very demanding. However, oxygen-rich, not too cool water is mandatory. The pH-value should be between 6,5 and 7,5. Soft to medium hard water (total hardness/GH up to 20, carbonate hardness/KH up to 10) is optimal. Water temperature should not be cooler than 22 °C and should not exceed 25 to 26 °C.

In good conditions male and female mate every few months, after which the female presses out 40 to 80 eggs and attaches them to her swimming legs under her abdomen, which she first curls up. After about 7 to 9 weeks, the young crabs hatch and remain under the abdomen of the mother for a few days, after which they go in search of food on their own. The small crabs need a large number of hiding places, because they are quite cannibalistic among themselves. The young animals of the Black Scorpion grow quite slowly.

Our food recommendation: Freshwater crayfish have a very varied diet in the wild. The Natureholic Crab Feed Sticks contain in a biologically balanced form only those ingredients that these crayfish in this or similar form to their natural food spectrum. This naturally supports and promotes moulting, growth and reproduction. Due to their protein content they are ideally suited for omnivorous crayfish of the genera Procambarus, Cambarus, Cambarellus, Astacus and the Cherax crayfish from Australia, which are basically omnivores that like to eat animal as well as vegetable food. The crayfish of the genus Cherax from Papua also like to eat a portion of animal food when they are young, but later they switch mainly to plant food.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.