Papuan swamp crayfish - Cherax cf. rhynchotus

The rather small Cherax cf. rhynchotus or Papua Swamp Crayfish originates from a swampy water on the island of Papua. Not much is known about this small swamp crayfish yet, there might even be a new, not yet described species hiding here. Cherax cf. rhynchotus is about 8-10 cm long - measured without claws. As it should be for a swamp crayfish, the Papua swamp crayfish shows mainly brown colors. Only the joints of the claw arms are orange. On the abdomen there is a stripe pattern of lighter and darker brown tones. The claws of Cherax cf. rhynchotus, the Papuan Swamp Crayfish are lightly hairy.

The males of the Papua Swamp Crayfish are easily distinguished from the females by their gonopores, or sexual openings. In the male Papua Swamp Crayfish the gonopores are located between the attachments of the 3rd pair of legs, in the female swamp crayfish they are located between the fifth pair of walking legs.

Cherax cf. rhynchotus is good to socialize with shrimps, also with fish, which stay at the water surface, the socialization should work out - however, it is not to be excluded that the crayfish chases a fish and eats it. Snails are part of the natural food of Cherax cf. rhynchotus, also large snails in the aquarium are at least eaten.

Not compatible is the Papua swamp crayfish with other crayfish. Under no circumstances should Cherax cf. rhynchotus have contact with crayfish from North America or even with the water in which North American crayfish live. The pathogens of crayfish plague, which can be transmitted by the crayfish themselves or by the water, are lethal to all Cherax. Also with crabs, large arm shrimps and fan shrimps the Papua swamp crayfish should not get along, in the aquarium also these invertebrates should not be socialized with it.

One or two pairs of the beautiful rather small Cherax cf. rhynchotus aka Papua Swamp Crayfish fit well in a structurally rich aquarium of 80 cm edge length - more space is no mistake. In order for the crayfish to avoid each other, you should provide them with numerous hiding places and also visual escape routes and territorial boundaries to keep their stress level as low as possible.

It is not known whether Cherax cf. rhynchotus likes plants, you would have to try this out. Robust perching plants or floating plants seem to be a good choice for an aquarium with this nice little Cherax. Eventually the Papua Marsh Crayfish will burrow, so be sure to keep your aquarium decorations from being undermined or tipped over. Please also make sure that the aquarium is tightly covered all around. Also the cable shafts must be plugged. Cherax cf. rhynchotus, the Papuan Swamp Crayfish, is a good climber and likes to explore its surroundings, even if the water is actually perfect for it.

The Papua Swamp Crayfish still does very well in the aquarium with a wide range of water values. The pH value may be between 6.5 and 8, the temperature should be permanently between 20 °C and 25 °C.

The Papua Swamp Crayfish should be able to reproduce in the aquarium if kept well. The sexually mature females carry their approx. 30 to 60 eggs under the abdomen for about six to eight weeks after mating. At the end of the gestation period, their young crayfish hatch, but initially continue to remain under their mother's pleon for a few days, gradually increasing their range of motion until they finally leave their mother and make their own way around the aquarium.

It is best to place the mother in a rearing aqu arium for release and return her to the aquarium proper once the offspring have finally left her. This greatly increases the chances of survival for the juvenile crayfish. The young of Cherax cf. rhynchotus from Papua should grow rather slowly. The young Papuan swamp crayfish are certainly quite cannibalistic in the beginning, like all Cherax, and must therefore find many hiding places in the separate rearing aquarium, for example a perforated brick and a thick layer of brown autumn leaves on the aquarium floor. Here the small Cherax cf. rhynchotus will find a good, permanent food source and hiding places.

Young Cherax cf. rhynchotus "Papua Swamp Crayfish" prefer a mixed diet of plant and animal food during the growth phase like all Cherax from Papua, the adult, i.e. adult Cherax cf. rhynchotus eat mainly plant food. Too much animal protein in the diet can lead to molting problems.

Our plant recommendation: Use 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 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.