Cherax warsamsonicus, a new species from the Vogelkop Peninsula on Papua

A new species of the genus Cherax from the western part of the Vogelkop Peninsula in Papua/Indonesia was described by Chris Lukhaup. The Cherax warsamsonicus n.sp. is distributed in the catchment area of the Warsamson River.

Where does the Warsamson's crayfish live?

The streams in which this crayfish occurs are not particularly deep, at 20-60 cm. The water flows moderately fast and has a pH value of 6.5. The crayfish live on the river bottom, on gravel, sand, silt and stones. They dig short burrows in the soft river banks or hide under larger boulders.

Indeed - a new species!

The new species Cherax warsamsonicus is closely related to Cherax misolicus, which is not very common in the hobby, but genetic tests have confirmed that Cherax warsamsonicus belongs to a new species that has not yet been scientifically described.

A good acquaintance from aquaristics

Cherax warsamsonicus is exported to Europe as an ornamental crayfish. Here it is often sold under the names Cherax "Irian Jaya", Cherax "Pink Coral" or Cherax "Hoa Creek". It is often confused with Cherax pulcher, the blue pink crayfish, described by Chris Lukhaup in 2015, to which it looks quite similar in colouration and pattern.

This is what the new crayfish looks like ...

With its blue, white-edged claws, the grey to blue legs and the dark pink to red coloured back, the Warsamson's crayfish is a really beautiful representative of the genus Cherax. The sexually mature males can be easily recognised by the white claw blisters on the outside of the large claws. Cherax warsamsonicus reaches a pure body length - without claws - of 15-17 cm.

... and this is how it is kept

An aquarium with an edge length of 80 cm is sufficient for a pair. Prerequisite: It must have many hiding places with stones and wood and be well structured. Cherax warsamsonicus are, like almost all crayfish of the genus Cherax, rather nocturnal, but with time they also show themselves during the day.

What Cherax warsamsonicus eats

Almost everything is eaten, but one should pay attention to a sufficient protein supply for young animals. As with all cherax from West Papua, a diet too rich in protein can lead to life-threatening moulting problems in older animals, therefore sexually mature cherax warsamsonicus should be fed mainly vegetable food. We recommend our Natureholic Krebsfeed for daily feeding.

Differentiation from Cherax pulcher

Even though the Warsamson's crayfish looks relatively similar to Cherax pulcher in terms of colour and pattern, the species can be reliably distinguished without a microscope.

Cherax pulcher has many small white dots on the side of the head and breastplate, the carapace. They look like a galaxy on the bluish-pink background. Cherax warsamsonicus has a grey to greenish, rather veil-like pattern in this area.
Cherax pulcher has three visible and distinct pointed spines on the side of the carapace at the set-off furrow. Cherax warsamsonicus also has spines at this point, but there are not always three, and they are not as pronounced.
In addition, Cherax warsamsonicus has a distinct red double stripe running longitudinally along the back, from the carapace almost to the tail fan. This double stripe is missing in Cherax pulcher.
The rostrum (the "nose", which of course is not a nose ...) of Cherax warsamsonicus is wider and shorter than that of Cherax pulcher.