Procambarus versutus black

Here you buy the black color variant of Procambarus versutus "black". This beautiful crayfish from the USA is also called Black Painted Crayfish in German. This beautifully marked diurnal crayfish grows up to 8 cm and originates from Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Procambarus versutus "black" belongs to the May crayfish and can be kept in aquariums with an edge length of 60 cm or more thanks to its somewhat smaller size.
This variant of Procambarus versutus is characterized by a particularly deep dark brown, which almost appears black.

Its interesting, high-contrast patterning is especially effective in naturally furnished aquariums with planting and furnishings of bog pine. You can distinguish the males of the Black Painted Crayfish from the females quite easily. They have V-shaped sexual appendages (gonopods) on the underside between the rear walking legs. The females have five pairs of webbed legs, but the males have only three because the anteriormost two pairs have been transformed into the gonopods.

The Black Painted Crayfish is a character animal, yet these crayfish have a distinct tendency to be peaceful. Even the young crayfish are only moderately cannibalistic and largely leave their conspecifics alone. Procambarus versutus "black" even becomes a bit more peaceful and calm with age.

Procambarus versutus "black" likes to eat mostly vegetarian foliage and dead plant parts. These crayfish should be fed rather sparingly in addition with common crayfish foods for North American crayfish. If the food was completely consumed within 3-4 minutes, the amount was perfect. The juveniles of the Black Painted Crayfish prefer more protein in their diet than the adults, so they should definitely be fed frozen foods, special protein foods, or the like, in addition to foliage and the like.

The aquarium for a pair of Procambarus versutus "Black" should have at least 60 cm edge length. The lid must close tightly, since these crayfish are excellent climbers and could otherwise break out. Also in nature they follow their migratory instinct. The temperature for the Painted Crayfish should be between 18 and a maximum of 28°C, therefore a heater is usually not necessary. The Black Painted Crayfish is relatively undemanding as far as water values are concerned. Nevertheless, the acclimation to the aquarium should be done slowly and take at least one hour.

Hiding places like crayfish burrows or tubes open on both sides and furnishings like aquarium roots and stones are necessary so that the crayfish can avoid each other. Black Painted Crayfish like to forage in the spaces between somewhat coarser aquarium gra vel. Finer gravel will also work, of course. Malayan trumpet snails are perfect aquarium mates for Procambarus versutus "black", eating the scraps that the crayfish "lose" while eating. Procambarus versutus "black" will nibble or pinch off softer plants. Perch resistant plants such as Anubias or ferns are good for planting in the aquarium, floating plants are also suitable.

Procambarus versutus "black" is a good aquarium companion for dwarf shrimp with comparable water requirements and can also be socialized with peaceful fish. Snails are eaten from time to time and are mainly good as live food.

Breeding Procambarus versutus "black" is not very difficult, the crayfish do not need a cold period. Female painted black crayfish carry about 30 - 70 eggs under the pleon (abdomen), from which after 3-6 weeks fully developed young crayfish hatch. They stay with the mother for a few more days and are then independent. For the most numerous breeding, the aquarium should be furnished with a layer of autumn leaves and many roots . The young crayfish need rather protein-rich food, especially in the first weeks, so that they do not attack conspecifics. The crayfish reach sexual maturity at about 4 cm in length.

Please never put crayfish outdoors! Procambarus versutus "black" from America can bring the pathogens of the crayfish plague, an absolutely deadly disease for our native crayfish. For this reason, the Painted Black Crayfish should not be socialized with crayfish from other continents.

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.