Cambarellus chapalanus - Chapa dwarf crayfish

Cambarellus chapalanus - also known as Chapa or Chapala dwarf crayfish - originates from Mexico and is a rather larger representative of the dwarf crayfish. The final size of these beige-brown dwarf crayfish is about 4 to 5 cm. The Cambarellus chapalanus is considered a relatively peaceful dwarf crayfish. The females differ from the males reliably by the number of swimming legs under the abdomen. While the females have five of them, the males have only three. The remaining two pairs of legs are formed into V-shaped mating handles, which point forward between the last pair of legs.

The Chapa Dwarf Crayfish is not particularly demanding of water, and its fairly hardy nature makes it an ideal keeper for newcomers to the dwarf crayfish world. A pair or a small group with excess females (harem keeping) of Cambarellus chapalanus can already be kept well in tanks from 40 cm / 25 liters, provided it is very well set up and offer the crayfish plenty of structure so they can avoid each other. Except for threatening gestures usually no further aggression among each other occurs, if the animals can avoid each other. The aquarium should be rich in structure with many climbing and hiding places consisting of roots, stones and clay caves. Plants remain undisturbed and are used just as gladly for climbing. Hardly any demands are made on the water values, as long as they do not go to the extreme. Also with the temperature range of 16-28°C Cambarellus chapalanus shows itself as very tolerant.

The breeding of Cambarellus chapalanus is quite easy. The females carry their eggs for about four weeks under the abdomen. After this gestation period, the fully developed juvenile crayfish are released and immediately become independent. The young animals are not particularly aggressive among themselves and can also grow up in the parent tank. They are grateful for many hiding places in the form of brown foliage, perforated bricks or small crayfish burrows as well as for food with a somewhat increased protein content.

The nutrition of these crayfish is in itself as unproblematic as their keeping. Various foods such as fresh food (vegetables, greens), granulated and flake food as well as frozen food are well accepted. Vegetable food such as foliage promotes growth and the moulting process.

Cambarellus chapalanus is not only peaceful within the species , but also towards other aquarium inhabitants. A socialization with shrimps and not too large fish - which they do not consider as live food - works wonderfully. Smaller snails may be cracked and eaten.

As with all crayfish, the aquarium should be well covered, otherwise there is a risk of escape. If a crayfish escapes and is dry for a longer time, do not put it back into the aquarium. A shallow bowl with some water in it and a lid on it is sufficient for the gills to moisten and start working again. After a few minutes you can carefully put the crayfish back into the aquarium.

Crayfish from America are potential carriers of crayfish plague. Neither Cambarellus chapalanus itself nor the water in which it is kept should therefore come into contact with crayfish from other continents, so that they are not infected with this disease, which is harmless to American crayfish but deadly to all other crayfish.

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.