Dwarf orange crayfish
Cambarellus patzcuarensis
A bright orange crayfish of about 1.5 inches and the only popular crayfish that fits a planted tank with peaceful fish.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.6 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 10 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- 1.5–2 years
- Diet
- Sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables
- Origin
- Lake Patzcuaro, Mexico
- Hardier than72%
- Bigger than21%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Dwarf orange crayfish tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cardinal tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpDwarf crayfish eat shrimplets.Risky
- BettaBetta eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (some individuals hunt them).Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barb eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO).Risky
- Clown loachClown loach eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (PROP: в SF не упомянуто).Risky
- Fairy cichlidFairy cichlid (Brichardi) eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (PROP).Risky
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (PROP).Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO).Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (PROP).Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (PROP).Avoid
- DemasoniDemasoni eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark eats dwarf shrimp: Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO) (PROP).Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for dwarf orange crayfish: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 4 cm (body)
- Adult mass
- 0.38 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.45 BU
- Min. water
- 30 L net
- Min. footprint
- 45 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 2+ (best 4)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- invertebrate, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Care notes
Dwarf orange crayfish come from the shallows of Lake Patzcuaro in Mexico; the orange form was bred in Germany. Unlike larger crayfish, they leave plants alone.
A pair fits a 10-gallon tank, a small colony about 15 gallons, with a hide for each animal and a lid. Leave shed shells in for at least two days, and expect them to eat shrimplets.
Questions
What size tank does a dwarf orange crayfish need?
At least 10 gallons (30 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.6 inches without fins.
How many dwarf orange crayfish should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 4 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do dwarf orange crayfish need?
64–79 °F, pH 6.8–8 and 6–15 dGH. Dwarf orange crayfish come from Lake Patzcuaro, Mexico.
How long do dwarf orange crayfish live?
1.5–2 years with good care.
What fish can live with dwarf orange crayfish?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.