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AQUATIC NOTEBOOK A Mexican Crayfish for Nano Aquariums Cambarellus patzcuarensis “Orange”: “berried” female carrying eggs under abdomen AMAZONAS Text and images by Rachel O’Leary The Dwarf Orange Crayfish, Cambarellus patzcuarensis “Orange,” is a petite and colorful crustacean that is not as well known to freshwater aquarists as it should be, but makes a sassy and active addition to a nano aquarium. Some crayfishes and “mini lobsters” can be destructive; this species has proved safe with plants, fishes, and other invertebrates. In its wild form, it originates in Lake Patzcuaro, about 38 miles southwest of Morelia in Central Mexico. It is thought that the first orange offspring originated from a pair of hobbyists from the Netherlands in the late 1990s. They started becoming available in the United States several years later, and are casually referred to as CPO. Cambarellus is a diminutive species, reaching around 1.25 inches (3 cm) at the largest and averaging about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Its native water is relatively cool, averaging about 72°F (22°C), and is moderately hard. These crayfish do not require a heater, but because of their size, any intake on a power filter should be covered with a prefilter sponge. CPO have an average lifespan of two years, and warmer temperatures accelerate their growth and breeding. Adult crayfish molt about twice a year, and young crayfish generally molt every three to four weeks until they hit maturity at about 0.7 inch (1.75 cm). They are fairly easy to breed. The male pins the female to the substrate and then places his sperm packets near her seminal receptacle. In a matter of days to weeks, she will molt and then produce from 20 to 50 eggs, which she attaches to her pleopod and covers with a protective mucus. The female carries the babies, even after hatching, until they are ready to venture out on their own. The adults do not prey on healthy young, so the survival rate is high. Feeding is no problem—the crayfish readily take most prepared or gelatinized foods. Specialized feeding is not required for the young, although like all invertebrates they are sensitive to water quality, so care should be taken not to overfeed. They do well with a varied diet with both meaty (live or frozen worms and pellets designed for bottom feeders) and herbivorous foods (vegetables or algae-based foods), and appreciate having leaf litter for grazing. Enriched foods containing bio-pigments such as carotenoids will help maintain bright color. S. POSTIN 14
Small size and relatively peaceful disposition make this an ideal nano-tank invertebrate. While peaceful to other inhabitants, these crayfish can threaten each other, especially after molting, so ample hiding places or cover should be provided utilizing plants, small pieces of stacked driftwood, or clay or PVC caves. A pair can easily live in a 5-gallon (20-L) tank or be part of a larger, peaceful community of small fishes and invertebrates. This crayfish, which resembles a miniature lobster, exhibits interesting behaviors and will reproduce in the aquarium. 15
Page 1: FRESHWATER AQUARIUMS & TROPICAL DIS
Page 4 and 5: EDITORIAL AMAZONAS Dear Reader, Fis
Page 6 and 7: AQUATIC NOTEBOOK article and image
Page 8 and 9: Type locality of Dario urops Male o
Page 10 and 11: AQUATIC NOTEBOOK Betta mahachaiensi
Page 12: AMAZONAS Habitat of Betta the Chao
Page 17 and 18: AQUATIC NOTEBOOK Wild-type Enneacam
Page 19 and 20: 24/7 VISIT OFTEN: • Web-Special A
Page 21 and 22: The world is yours. The earth i
Page 23 and 24: The Congo, 2,717 miles (4,374 km) l
Page 25 and 26: former catch-all genus “Cichlasom
Page 27 and 28: oon. It is not unlikely that the ch
Page 29 and 30: H. OTT of the type locality will pe
Page 31 and 32: study. Ten localities are known in
Page 33 and 34: Undescribed species The western par
Page 35 and 36: COVER STORY The keeping of Aphyosem
Page 37 and 38: importance. Inland species, in part
Page 39 and 40: 0. DETERS The mystery of the locali
Page 41 and 42: Killifish are associated with the a
Page 43 and 44: (around 5 mm), they should develop
Page 45 and 46: layer of peat fiber, which should b
Page 47 and 48: (23-25°C). If it comes from forest
Page 49 and 50: AQUATIC TRAVEL In Search of the Blu
Page 51 and 52: Right: This Hypostomus sp. was caug
Page 53 and 54: At the time of my visit, the Magdal
Page 55 and 56: the Rainbow Darter AMAZONAS 55
Page 57 and 58: are collecting individually with a
Page 59 and 60: to their new surroundings, spawning
Page 61 and 62: Exclusive North American Importer &
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Right: Typical habitat of Triops in
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Aeration of the tank can be achieve
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agascar seems to have vanished from
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AMAZONAS 69
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RadionTM Sleek. Sophisticated. High
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cm) light strips would be required.
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Right: The Giant Raphael Catfish, M
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At a size of a bit over an inch (3
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“Wow!” AMAZONAS Volume 2, Numbe
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6.0-6.5. The water temperature in t
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Successfully outwitted: a brooding
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when it comes to caves. Except at s
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AMAZONAS AMAZONAS is a sponsor of t
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Pets, Pets, Pets 2 JFK Blvd Somerse
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Pair of Nomorhamphus rex, Vermillio
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Black-Spotted Moray, Gymnothorax po
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Nassau County Aquarium Society Rock
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UNDERWATER EYE Hericthys labridens
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