Volcano Flusskrebs - Cherax destructor

Volcano crayfish - Cherax destructor

The Volcano crayfish (Cherax destructor var. "Volcano") impresses with its bright orange base color and dark blue to purple stripes. Female specimens of this crayfish reach a size of up to 20 cm and have a life expectancy of around 6 to 8 years. The Volcano crayfish is very robust and easy to care for in well-structured aquaria, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced aquarists.

When selecting our crayfish, we offer you the following options:

• Females: Single female, ideal for quiet community aquariums or to complement an existing male.
• Pair: One male and one female, perfect for observing natural behaviors or for breeding experiments.
• Breeding group: One male and two females, ideal for more effective breeding and interesting social dynamics in the aquarium.

Keeping and care

The Volcano crayfish requires an aquarium of at least 80 liters for a single animal, but tanks of 120 liters or more are better. The substrate should consist of fine-grained gravel or sand so that the crayfish can dig. Hiding places consisting of stones, roots and caves are essential, as the crayfish need places to retreat to, especially during moulting.

Water parameters and temperature

The optimum water parameters for the Volcano crayfish are temperatures between 16 and 30 °C and a pH value of 7.0 to 8.0. A medium water hardness of 8 to 20 °dGH is ideal, and regular water changes contribute to the animal's health. A good oxygen supply and filtration is essential, as Cherax destructor can react sensitively to poor water quality.

Socialization

Female Volcano crayfish can be kept well with dwarf shrimps and small, peaceful fish. Keeping them with other large crayfish or crabs is not recommended in order to avoid the risk of conflict. However, snails are natural prey and are regularly eaten.

Breeding

Breeding Cherax destructor is relatively easy: a female can carry up to 400 eggs, which hatch after around 6 to 8 weeks. The young crayfish need plenty of hiding places to avoid cannibalism, especially during the first moulting phases.

Diet

The Volcano crayfish is an omnivore and requires a varied diet. In addition to special crayfish food, it likes to eat vegetables, leaves and occasionally frozen food. This food mixture promotes growth and supports strong coloration.