Lorentz's crayfish - Cherax lorentzi

Growing up to 14 cm, Cherax lorentzi is native to western New Guinea, where it lives in rivers. Lorentz' crayfish has a blue-green head and a dark blue-green to brown patterned abdomen. The legs and claw arms are blue, as are the claws, and the joints are set off in orange. Adult males have red-orange claw blisters on the outer sides of their claws. They also have sexual openings at the base of the fifth pair of legs, while these are located at the base of the third pair of legs in females.

Especially in the beginning it is rather nocturnal and relatively shy, but this will give with time. Cherax lorentzi is a very peaceful crayfish and also very compatible within the species. Often you can find males and females even in the same cave. Also with ornamental fish and dwarf shrimps Cherax lorentzi shows itself very well socializable. Snails are eaten, well reproducing snails are a welcome live food source in the aquarium. Please do not socialize Cherax lorentzi with crayfish of any other species and also not with crabs, longarm shrimp and fan shrimp. In particular, you must take good care if you also keep American crayfish, as they can transmit a parasite that causes crayfish plague in Cherax lorentzi, which always leads to death. The water in which American crayfish are kept is also infectious and should not be allowed into the Cherax aquarium.

For a pair of this beautiful Cherax an aquarium from 80 cm length is sufficient. It should be set up so that the crayfish have plenty of climbing and hiding places. Roots, aquarium-suitable stones and also clay crab caves are particularly suitable for this. Cherax lorentzi does not eat plants, and it does not dig very intensively.

Cherax lorentzi is not difficult to breed. If the external conditions are suitable, the animals mate up to three times a year. The females carry between 50 and 70 eggs under their abdomen, from which the young crabs hatch after about six weeks. When they have finally left their mother after a few days, they should find a layer of brown oak or beech foliage , which not only providesthem with numerous hiding placesduring the first critical days, but also serves as permanent food.

Adult crayfish will also eat the foliage with great pleasure. Cherax lorentzi also likes food made especially for crayfish, it likes food with mainly vegetable components as well as protein containing frozen food or even a small piece of unseasoned raw fish.

Cherax lorentzi likes oxygen-rich, rather medium hard water and a pH-value between 6,5 and 8.

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 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.