Orange Dwarf Mexican Crayfish

 Dwarf crayfish are also called Mexican Dwarf Crayfish or Mexican Mini-Lobsters because they are mainly found in the lakes, rivers, and streams of - you probably guessed it - Mexico, as well as southern areas of the United States. The small size and fairly peaceful nature of these crayfish make them more suitable for community tanks than their larger relatives. While they get along with a much larger variety of tankmates than large crayfish, they may still pick on snails and very small fish or shrimp. They have been known to live up to 2 to 3 years on average.

Dwarf crayfish can live in almost any freshwater aquarium and are among the toughest freshwater tank inhabitants available to the hobby. They are undemanding when it comes to care requirements, but as with all new aquarium inhabitants, they should only be placed in tanks that have at least one filter and have been cycled. These are very active creatures that love to explore and do not spend all of their time under rocks. They are also well known for keeping tanks clean and free of waste. 

If you are planning to keep these little crayfish with other crayfish or other large types of fish and invertebrates, is important to keep them in a tank with plenty of hiding places. Crayfish are vulnerable when they are shedding their exoskeleton, so landscaping the tank with live plants, driftwood, rocks, and/or caves is vital to their survival. Also, it is normal for a crayfish to eat his/her exoskeleton after molting.  

Dwarf crayfish will typically eat whatever they can catch, but their small size and slow mobility renders them unable to harm most types of fish or invertebrates (though they may munch on snails or slow dwarf shrimp). They will eat leftovers, dead tank mates, and even fish waste, but their diets can be supplemented with foods like invertebrate pellets, algae wafers, fish food, or blanched vegetables (such as zucchini, carrots, and spinach).

Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1 1/2"

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Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.