Photo: Dan Johnson, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cajun dwarf crayfish
Cambarellus puer
3 cm
Adult size
20 L
Minimum volume
2
Minimum group
2 years
Lifespan
Size: body length.
Water parameters
Understand these valuesHardness (GH): not given by the sources
Carbonate hardness (KH): not given by the sources
- Genus
- Cambarellus
- Diet
- carnivore
- Social life
- colony
- Activity
- diurnal
- Adult habitat
- fresh water
- Breeding
- in fresh water
In the wild
Overview
Brown and inconspicuous, this dwarf crayfish blends into muddy bottoms and plant debris. It frequents areas where plants and piled-up leaves provide both food and shelter.
- Scientific name
- Cambarellus puer Hobbs, 1945
- Classification
- Decapoda › Cambaridae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Southern United States: Mississippi basin and the bayous of Texas (Buffalo Bayou)
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives in slow or still water choked with aquatic and marsh plants, branches and decaying matter, over humus and mud. It keeps close to leaf piles and plants, where it finds food and cover.
Behaviour
It lives in colonies on the bottom, is active by day and rather calm. Territorial, it does not tolerate intruders of similar habits, but ignores other animals. Being small, it hides when larger neighbours are around.
In the aquarium
Care and setup
Spread hiding places across the floor rather than gathering all shelters in one spot. Territorial disputes remain possible; freshly moulted individuals must be able to retreat.
Feeding
The source describes a carnivorous diet. Give portions on the bottom suited to its small size.
Breeding
It breeds in fresh water, and the young hatch fully formed. Dense vegetation gives them more places to hide.
Sources:Fishipedia GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth