Yabby natural form - Cherax destructor

The impressive, with 15 to 20 cm length without claws quite large growing Cherax destructor is originally an Australian crayfish. It is widespread in Australia and economically very interesting as a food crayfish. The blue-brown to brown wild form of the Yabby gets a light marble pattern on the claws with increasing age. The males do not possess claw bladders. They can be recognized by the gonopores located at the base of the fifth (last) pair of walking legs. In females, these sex openings can be seen at the base of the second pair of walking legs.

The Yabby is a relatively peaceful decapod, it can be socialized very unproblematically with dwarf shrimp. Also small to medium sized fish are suitable, only veil fins should be avoided. The Yabby rarely hunts actively - however, if a careless fish swims into its claws, it is quite possible that it will then grab. however, careless fish can be eaten. Snails are also eaten in nature, so they are simply food for him, as well as shells. The Yabby should not be socialized with crabs or other crustaceans. Contact with American crayfish and also with water in which they are kept should be avoided at all costs, as Americans can be potential carriers of crayfish plague and the water can also contain spores of the pathogen. The Yabby, like all crayfish of the genus Cherax, is not resistant to this disease, which is fatal in all cases.    

Cherax destructor is rather crepuscular and nocturnal during the acclimation period of several months, later it can be seen increasingly also during daytime and comes out of its hiding place especially at feeding times. The aquarium should be covered without gaps and the crayfish should not be able to push it open from the inside. Cherax destructor likes to go exploring outside and can develop amazing powers.

A pair should be kept in an aquarium from 100 cm edge length. The tank should have a large base area and be very well structured with wood and stones. Secure against tipping and undermining, the Yabby often digs intensively! Plants are eaten, here you can switch to fast growing flooding plants, such as water plant, hornwort, and also floating plants such as frogbit or shellflowers have proven successful. Cherax destructor feels comfortableat temperatures of 16 to 30 °C and likes medium to hard water.

After mating , the female lays up to 400 eggs, which are carried under the abdomen for four to six weeks. Once the young crayfish have hatched, they hang under the mother for a few more days, then leave her and begin an independent life. Then they need numerous hiding places to survive the upcoming molts well. A layer of brown autumn leaves has proven to be very effective. It is not only a hiding place, but also a good permanent food.

Besides autumn leaves, the Yabby likes to eat all kinds of ready-made food, but also fresh food such as vegetables and nettle (dried or scalded), but also frozen food.

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. Also the crayfish of the genus Cherax from Papua like to eat a portion of animal food when they are young, later they switch mainly to plant food.

Our 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 with the invertebrate attitude the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your invertebrates. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.