Sunshine apricot crayfish - Cherax snowden "Irianto Red

The Sunshine Apricot Crayfish is also known as Cherax snowden "Irianto Red". This bright orange-red variant of Cherax snowden originates from the Vogelkop Peninsula  on Papua, which is part of Indonesia. The Irianto Red is bright orange-red to bright red in color all over its body. The species Cherax snowden was not described as a separate species until 2015, and the Irianto Red was identified as a variant of Cherax snowden in 2016 . The Sunshine apricot crayfish grows up to 12 cm in length. In the sexually mature male, the gonopores (i.e., sexual openings) are found at the base of the last pair of walking legs in front of the abdomen; females have these openings at the base of the third pair of legs.

Like all varieties of Cherax snowden, the Irianto Red is considered a compatible and relatively peaceful crayfish. Please do not socialize the beautiful reds with other variants of Cherax snowden, nor with other species of the genus Cherax, so that there is no hybridized mishmash. Irianto Reds also have difficulties with other crayfish species, with crabs and large-armed shrimps. Communication problems lead to stress and possibly to fights with fatal results. Contact with American crayfish should be absolutely avoided - they can carry the pathogen of crayfish plague, which is absolutely lethal for Cherax snowden. Even the water from an aquariun where American crayfish live can carry this pathogen. The Irianto Red can be kept with peaceful fish that do not sleep on the bottom. Once in a while it is possible that the Sunshine Apricot Crayfish will catch and eat a fish, but it is not a ferocious hunter. Snails and mussels are eaten, shrimp it usually leaves in peace.

One male and one female of the Irianto Red fit into an aquarium with an edge length of 80 cm or more, which is well structured and furnished with wood and stones, so that the crayfish can hide. Crayfish burrows are accepted very gladly. Attention, please always place decoration in a way that it cannot be undermined! Cherax snowden "Irianto Red" does not like plants very much, robust or fast growing species like Anubias or Hornwort keep well in the tanks. The water temperature should not fall below 20 °C and in the long run should not rise above 25 °C. The lid of the aquarium must be escape-proof and must not have any gaps. Irianto Red can climb very well and are adventurous. Like all variants of Cherax snowden, the Sunshine Apricot Crab is crepuscular and nocturnal,  but after a period of acclimation it can be seen more often. It is curiously less shy in aquariums with lots of hiding places than in relatively bare tanks.

Like all Cherax originating from Papua, Cherax snowden "Irianto Red" are distinct omnivores when young . In addition to vegetarian food they also need a portion of animal food, for example our Natureholic Crayfish Feed, freeze-dried food, frozen food and also the Natureholic Protein Feed as a source of protein. Older Sunshine apricot crayfish live predominantly vegetarian, they like to eat green food such as dandelion, spinach and nettles, but also untreated vegetables. Brown autumn leaves must always be in a crayfish aquarium, it influences the water values exclusively positively and is an excellent permanent food for every crayfish. Feeding adult Papuan Cherax too high in protein can result in potentially fatal molting problems!

The Irianto Red is relatively easy to breed. After mating, the female attaches her 40 to 80 dark colored eggs to the webbed feet under her abdomen where she performs brood care. After a relatively long 7-9 weeks, the baby crabs hatch and then remain with the mother under her abdomen before taking off on their own. Successful rearing is best done in an extra aquarium with a decent thick layer of brown autumn leaves. Unfortunately, the young of the Sunshine Apricot Crab grow quite slowly, and they are cannibalistic among themselves, so plenty of hiding places in the form of perforated bricks and the like are not only expedient, but necessary for survival.

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 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.