Redclaw Crayfish

Overview

The Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is a large, colourful Australian native crayfish with red claw markings; a species-tank animal. It reaches about 25 cm and can live for roughly 5-10 years with good care.

This guide covers everything in plain language: tank size and setup, water parameters, the best foods (with recommended brands), which shrimp and tank mates it can safely live with, breeding, and the common problems to avoid. It is rated Intermediate to keep.

Natural Habitat & Origin

Crayfish are bottom-dwelling crustaceans from rivers, lakes and dams. They are territorial, like to dig and rearrange the tank, and must moult (shed their shell) to grow, hiding away and becoming soft and vulnerable for a day or two each time.

Tank Size & Setup

Provide at least 200 litres. Give it space, hides and a secure setup suited to its size and habits.

Use a soft sand or gravel bottom for digging, plenty of caves and one secure hide per animal, and a tight, weighted lid - crayfish climb out. Keep decor robust, as they rearrange everything.

Always add invertebrates only to a fully cycled, mature tank - they are far more sensitive to ammonia and nitrite than most fish.

Water Parameters

Keep the Redclaw Crayfish at 20-30 °C with a pH of 6.5-8.0, in moderately hard water (GH 8-20); they are happy in most Australian tap water once it is dechlorinated and stable.

Stability is everything for invertebrates: test regularly, keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate low, drip-acclimate new arrivals slowly over an hour, and make only small, steady water changes. Remember that copper - found in some fish medicines and plant fertilisers - is lethal, so always check labels.

Diet & Feeding

The Redclaw Crayfish is a omnivore. In Australia, good options include Hikari sinking carnivore/crab pellets, Dymax bottom-feeder pellets, blanched vegetables and the occasional protein treat; calcium is vital for moulting.

Feed lightly - invertebrates get much of their food from natural biofilm and algae, and overfeeding quickly fouls the water and triggers losses. A little, a few times a week, is plenty for most shrimp and snails.

Which Shrimp & Tank Mates Can Live Together?

This is a large Australian native crayfish, and it will catch and eat fish, shrimp and other crayfish - keep it in a species tank of its own. They are powerful escape artists, so a tight, weighted lid is essential, and they need hides and a sandy or gravel bottom to dig in. Never release a yabby or redclaw into the wild.

Breeding

Crayfish can breed in the aquarium: the female carries eggs and then tiny crayfish under her tail. Separate the babies, as adults (and siblings) may eat them. Never release any crayfish or their young into local waterways.

Common Problems & Care Tips

Moulting is the riskiest time - the animal hides, goes soft and is vulnerable, so never disturb a moulting crayfish or crab, leave the shed shell in the tank for it to eat (it restores calcium), and make sure it has calcium and iodine in the diet.

Quarantine and acclimate all new livestock carefully, and watch daily for sluggishness, failure to eat or trouble moulting.

Is the Redclaw Crayfish Right for You?

The Redclaw Crayfish suits keepers with some experience and a stable, mature, well-planned tank, as long as you can provide 200+ litres, the right water, copper-free conditions and suitable tank mates.

Get the basics right and these fascinating invertebrates are some of the most rewarding animals in the hobby. Use our aquarium tools to plan your setup and browse our fish and plant guides for safe tank mates.

Frequently Asked Questions