Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus

Here you buy a North American crayfish of the species Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus. In the USA it is also known as Gap Ringed Crayfish, formerly it was called Orconectes neglectus chaenodactylus. It is found in the states of Arkansas and Missouri. This great colored crayfish from the USA has no German name yet. It grows to about 9 cm in size and thus belongs to the medium-sized species.  

Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus is dark reddish brown on the upper side and light brown on the underside and on the claws and has conspicuous black rings around the reddish brown tips of the claws. Its slightly smaller body size allows to keep a pair already in an aquarium with an edge length of 60 cm or more. The sex differentiation is quite simple. Males of Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus have webbed legs converted to V-shaped sexual appendages (gonopods) - the first two pairs of webbed legs point forward in an arrow shape between the last set of walking legs on the anterior abdomen. Female gap ringed crayfish have five pairs of webbed legs, males have only three - the first two are gonopods after all.

This subspecies of  Faxonius neglectus feels very comfortable in a well structured aquarium with an edge length of 60 cm or more with many possibilities for climbing and hiding. Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus can be kept in pairs if there is enough structure in the aquarium. Please make sure that the aquarium is covered really tightly and plug any gaps well - this North American crayfish likes to climb and also follows its natural migratory instinct in nature. So the aquarium must be escape-proof. Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus eats not only plant debris, but also live softer plants. Perennial hard-leaved plants such as Anubias or ferns are suitable for planting in an aquarium for North American crayfish, and floating plants are also quite suitable for greening.

Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus as an adult crayfish feeds primarily vegetarian on foliage and dead and fresh plant parts. A diet suitable for North American crayfish can, of course, also be fed in the aquarium. The juveniles of the gap ringed crayfish need a more protein-rich diet than the adults and should therefore also be fed frozen food or special protein food from time to time.

The water temperature in the aquarium for Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus should be between 18 and 28°C, therefore a heater is usually unnecessary. This American crayfish is fairly undemanding when it comes to water values, and does very well in both medium and hard water. Acclimation to the aquarium should be slow and last at least one hour.

A socialization with Malayan trumpet snails works quite well. They clean up the food remains of the crayfish and are not frequently eaten thanks to their burrowing lifestyle. Neocaridina shrimp are also perfect aquarium mates for Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus. Furthermore, Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus can be a good aquarium mate for peaceful fish that swim mostly at the surface and also sleep in the upper layers of the water.

Breeding  Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus is possible in the aquarium, the crayfish do not need a cold period to get into a mating mood, but a small temperature drop can help. Mating occurs in October through April, the female gap ringed crayfish then set eggs beginning in March through June, which they nurse under the pleon (abdomen) until hatching and even a little beyond. For the most successful rearing, the young crayfish should be placed in an extra tank. This aquarium is equipped with a layer of brown autumn foliage and should also provide many hiding places, for example, under roots or in crab burrows . The young crayfish of Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus need quite protein-rich food especially during the first weeks. This is partly how to keep them from eating their siblings.

Please never release crayfish from the aquarium in the wild or socialize them with species from other continents!   Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus comes from America and can bring pathogens of crayfish plague. This disease is absolutely fatal to native crayfish as well as crayfish from continents other than America.

Our food recommendation: Freshwater crayfish have a very varied diet in the wild. The Natureholic Crayfish 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 the following for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians 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.