Zebra crab "Kiunga red" - Cherax peknyi

From the vicinity of Kiunga on Papua comes the beautiful variant of the variable Cherax peknyi: The Kiunga Red is a remarkably beautiful local form of the tiger crayfish. The bright red, at the underside partly strongly hairy claws end in white orange colored claws tips and go over to the body in intensely red shining claw arms. The carapace of Cherax peknyi "Kiunga Red" shows all shades from light beige over orange brown to dark brown. The abdomen is dark brown to orange blue-gray and is intersected by light orange beige narrow transverse bands on each segment. The legs are grayish blue with orange joints. At approximately 12-14 cm in body length, the Kiunga Red is a rather medium-sized cherax.

The males of the Kiunga Red have relatively large, bulky claws, those of the females are somewhat slimmer. A reliable sex distinction can be made based on the gonopores, the sexual orifices. In the male Kiunga Red they are located between the attachments of the 3rd pair of legs, whereas in the females they are more posterior and located between the fifth pair of walking legs.

Cherax peknyi "Kiunga Red" is a crayfish that is well tolerated with shrimps and it can also be kept with more surface oriented peaceful ornamental fish, although it is not impossible that it will take a bite out of the fish. Snails belong to the natural food spectrum of Cherax peknyi and will be cracked and eaten on occasion. Even large snails are not safe at this point.

You should never socialize large crayfish with crayfish of other species. Also you should not keep the Kiunga Red together with other site variants Cherax peknyi to avoid an indefinable mixture of variants. The Cherax peknyi "Kiunga Red" must have absolutely no contact with American crayfish; also the water in which American crayfish live is taboo. This is the only way you can eliminate the risk of contracting crayfish plague. The Kiunga Red also does not get along with crabs, large-armed shrimp and fan shrimp in the aquarium.

A pair of the colorful Cherax peknyi Kiunga Red can be kept in a diversely furnished aquarium with an edge length of 80 cm or more. Numerous hiding places and optical evasion possibilities provide a low stress level for your Cherax crayfish. Since Cherax peknyi is usually not noticed as a herbivore, you can also plant the aquarium with robust perching plants. Because the crayfish burrow, be sure to place the aquarium decorations so that they cannot be undermined, lest the crayfish be crushed because the decorations tip over. Make sure the aquarium is covered without gaps - Cherax peknyi "Kiunga Red" is an active climber and likes to go exploring.

The Kiunga Red does well in the aquarium with a wide range of water values. The pH should be between 6.5 and 8, the temperature must be permanently above 20 °C and should not permanently exceed 25 °C even in summer.

The Kiunga Red, like all variants of Cherax peknyi, is relatively easy to breed in the aquarium. The females carry their eggs under the abdomen for about six to eight weeks. Then 40 to 80 young crayfish hatch out, which at first still remain with the mother under the pleon and gradually expand their radius until they leave the mother after a few days and become independent. A rearing aquarium for the offspring increases the chances of survival. Like all varieties of Cherax peknyi from Papua, young Kiunga Rot grow very slowly. The young crayfish live cannibalistically and therefore need good and numerous hiding places in their rearing aquarium. A thick layer of brown autumn leaves at the bottom of the aquarium provides not only food, but also protection.

Young Cherax peknyi "Kiunga Red" prefer a mixed diet with a good portion of food of animal origin during growth , whereas the adult animals are fed mainly vegetable food to prevent moulting 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.