Cpo Crayfish (Cambarellus Patzcuarensis Sp. Orange)

CPO Crayfish, Mexican Dwarf Crayfish, Orange Tetra, Orange Dwarf Crayfish, Patzcuaro Crayfish

Distribution

The wild form of this cancer is an endemic species originating from Lake Lago de Patzcuaro and the springs flowing from it. This lake is located at a considerable height and is densely overgrown with vegetation. The orange form - selectively bred - was first obtained in the Netherlands.

Appearance

The wild form is brownish-gray in color, with rusty limbs and soft parts of the abdomen. The variant selectively bred has a creamy orange color, in which the orange pigment often arranges itself into longitudinal stripes passing through the entire length of the shell on its upper part. These crabs are small and have small pincers. We distinguish the male and female by looking at their bellies. The female has a clearly visible seed reservoir located centrally between the 4 and 5 walking legs. The male, on the other hand, is recognizable by the transformed first two pairs of abdominal legs, which converge towards each other and are directed towards the belly in parallel.

Temperament

These crabs are characterized by a rather calm temperament. Aggressive behaviors (attacking fish and shrimp) depend on the surface of the tank that falls on all its inhabitants, the speed, and agility of the companions, the diversity of the food used, the age of the crustaceans, and the presence of their own species (single individuals are always more aggressive towards the environment). Aggression can increase with age, and the prime hunters are mainly males (who are also territorial). They usually cut off the legs of shrimps, the fins of fish. Crayfish also tend to naturally control their own population (cannibalism of crayfish). By keeping a larger group there should be a predominance of females. This species is very agile and active. It runs on the bottom of the entire aquarium and climbs without difficulty. They don't dig in the substrate, they don't eat plants.

Aquarium

The most important criterion for crayfish is the bottom area of the tank - the larger, the better. The second important thing is to provide them with an appropriate number of hiding places - especially when they will be kept with other animals. We use stones, rocks, caves, PVC pipes, wooden (e.g. bamboo), ceramic, coconut shell, roots and sticks, plants etc. to build them. Here you should consider the size of the animals - so that they do not jam. Appropriately chosen coloring of the equipment allows to highlight and intensify the coloring of the inhabitants. Additionally, decorative elements can be planted with moss or other plants with small and delicate leaves. Thirdly, for these crustaceans, strongly oxygenated water is essential for life. Crayfish have gills and do not breathe atmospheric air. They can indeed stay on dry land, but only as long as their gills are moist. From an aquarium, where there will be a lack of oxygen, the crayfish will try to escape (a tight cover of the tank is necessary). Crayfish prefer to be in cloudy water, but that does not mean that the water has to be dirty. These animals are sensitive to the presence of ammonia and nitrites. Therefore, effective filtration and systematic partial water changes are required. The lighting should not be too intense, it is best if it is diffused. When choosing the substrate, we use those with delicate, rounded edges. From time to time, we put dry oak, beech or almond leaves and dried alder cones on the bottom of the tank (necessary ingredients for the crayfish diet).

Reproduction

This species cross-breeds with other species from this genus. Sexual maturity is achieved by crayfish after reaching a size of 1.5-2 cm. There should be at least two females per male. Otherwise, after spotting eggs under the female's abdomen, we absolutely catch the male into a separate tank. The female carries the eggs under her abdomen for several weeks. After hatching, she takes care of the offspring for several more days. After this period, she is ready for another reproduction.

Food

These crayfish are omnivorous. They will eat dry and fresh plant food, frozen animal food. They will not despise ready-made products for crabs, shrimps, or fish. Green vegetables (spinach, peas), algae, beef hearts, plant and animal residues - they will enjoy everything equally. It is important that there is a variety, and the food falls to the bottom. The diet of this species should be enriched with alder cones, oak, beech or almond leaves - the ingredients contained in these products reduce the risk of shell ulcers (so-called rust spots) appearing in crayfish. These products should be brown, dry and clean, and before serving they should be scalded with boiling water.