Blue Claw Tiger Crab - Cherax peknyi var. Blue Claw - 3-5 cm - DNZ

Our German offspring (DNZ) of  Cherax peknyi var. Blue Claw, the Blue Claw Tiger Crab, are between 3 and 5 cm long. At this size it is not yet possible to distinguish the sexes. Since young crayfish are very cannibalistic, we recommend keeping a small group only in a very well structured aquarium with numerous hiding places, or keeping them individually.

Newly arrived in the hobby in spring 2017 is a beautiful variant of Cherax peknyi: the Blue Claw. Without a doubt, this beautiful colorful animal is one of the most attractive varieties of the already very beautiful tiger crayfish. The bright blue scissor fingers are its most striking feature and have given it its trivial name, the Blue Claw Crab. They are attached to bright red-dark blue colored claws, some of which are heavily hairy on the underside, which transition into intense red claw arms. The carapace of the Blue Claw also displays the brilliant blue of the clawed fingers. It transitions to a brownish orange adorned with hundreds of bright spots. The abdomen is dark blue to blue-gray and is intersected by fiery orange to almost white narrow transverse bands on each segment. The legs are dark blue to grayish blue with orange joints. At about 12-14 cm in body length, the Blue Claw does not grow quite as large as other species in the genus Cherax.

The males of the Blue Claw have quite bulky claws, those of the females are somewhat narrower and smaller. However, the sexes can only be determined with certainty by the location of the sexual orifices (gonopores). In the male Blue Claw they are located between the attachments of the 3rd pair of legs, in the females they are found further back, between the 5th pair of walking legs.

Cherax peknyi "Blue Claw" can be kept well with peaceful ornamental fish and also with dwarf shrimp, although it is possible that fish sleeping on the bottom are considered prey. Snails are part of the food spectrum of Cherax peknyi in nature, they are cracked and eaten. Even large snails are not safe here. Please do not socialize large crayfish with crayfish of other species (and also not with the other color variants of Cherax peknyi, an undefinable mixture of variants would be the result!) and make sure that there is absolutely no contact with American crayfish or the water in which American crayfish live, to exclude the risk of contracting crayfish plague. The Blue Claw should also not be socialized with crabs, large-armed shrimp or fan shrimp.

A pair of the colorful Blue Claw can be kept well in an aquarium from 80 cm edge length. It should be furnished variedly and offer numerous hiding places and optical evasion possibilities. Since Cherax peknyi usually does not like plants excessively, it can also be planted. Please make sure that the crayfish cannot undermine any furnishings while digging in such a way that they are crushed or that the decoration tips over and damages the aquarium glass. Cover the aquarium without gaps - Cherax peknyi "Blue Claw" climbs very well and likes to go exploring.

The Blue Claw copes with a wide range of water values. The pH should be 6.5 and 8, the temperature must be permanently above 20 °C and should not exceed 25 °C permanently.

The Blue Claw should be relatively easy to breed like all variants of Cherax peknyi. The females carry their eggs for up to six weeks. Then 40 to 80 young crayfish crawl out, which at first remain with the mother under the tail. After a few days, they leave the mother and become independent. Blue Claw juveniles, like all Cherax peknyi, grow very slowly. They are cannibalistic and therefore need many good hiding places in the rearing tank. Since the adult crayfish also eat the young, the fry should have their own rearing tank. A thick layer of brown autumn leaves not only provides food, but also protection.

Young Cherax peknyi "Blue Claw" prefer food of animal origin, the adults should be fed mainly vegetable food. As with all Papuan crayfish, too much protein  can lead to molting problems and death in adult Blue Claw.

Our Feeding Recommendation: Freshwater crayfish have a varied diet in the wild. The Natureholic Crayfish Feed Sticks contain only biologically balanced ingredients that are part of the natural diet of these crayfish in this or a similar form. 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. Crayfish of the genus Cherax from Papua are also very fond of eating a proportion of animal food when they are young, but later they switch to a predominantly plant-based diet.

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 when keeping fish 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.