This very rare species is widely regarded as the world's most beautiful crayfish, and this is its natural, wild coloration!

⚠️ Important Legal Note: Cherax species of crayfish are considered an invasive species in several U.S. states and is illegal to possess in any form or sell in: Arizona, California, Florida, Maine, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Please check your local regulations before purchasing. We are unable to ship this species to these states. If you reside in one of the above states and try to checkout with this crayfish in your cart you will be unable to checkout and receive an error message until the crayfish is removed from the cart.

* For the safety of our animals, we now ship cherax crayfish exclusively via UPS Next Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as a shipping option during checkout *

The Thunderbolt Crayfish (Cherax pulcher) is a newly discovered and extremely rare species of crayfish native to the Hoa Creek of  Western Papua New Guinea. This crayfish is also commonly known as the Pink Coral Freshwater Lobster, though true lobsters do not exist in freshwater. The Thunderbolt Crayfish will breed in the aquarium with proper care, although the fry are extremely slow growing, especially compared to the many more common US crayfish species that are popular in the aquarium hobby. 

As it reaches adulthood, the Thunderbolt Crayfish will become relatively territorial, so it may behave aggressively towards other animals in the tank. It is important that ample hiding places such as rockwork, driftwood, or PVC pipes be provided. This is even more crucial when housing multiple crayfish in the same tank. Due to the size and waste production of this crayfish, a minimum 30-gallon, well-filtered aquarium is necessary for one adult. A larger aquarium of 55 gallon or larger aquarium can house multiple adults of similar size. This is a reasonably hardy animal, but regular water changes are vital to its optimal health. Other bottom-dwelling invertebrates and fish should not be kept with large crayfish. It is possible to keep mid- and upper-level, fast-swimming fish with this crayfish, but crayfish are opportunistic feeders and will generally eat whatever they can catch. It is a skilled climber, so extra care must be taken to ensure that it does not escape its enclosure.

 

*IMPORTANT* Please "Choose a Variant" above before adding this crayfish to your cart:

• 1 Male Crayfish - 2+ inch Adult
• 1 Female Crayfish – 2+ inch Adult
• 1 Male/Female Crayfish Pair – 2+ inch Adults
• 1 B-Grade Crayfish - 2+ inch Adult (All of our “B-Grade” crayfish are simply specimens that are missing more than 1 of their legs or claws.  Loss of appendages is not permanent and happens commonly with crustaceans. They are completely healthy with excellent coloration and will completely regenerate lost appendages within 1 to 2 molts, which is typically about 2 to 3 months.)

 

What We Like About This Crayfish:

• Stunning blue, pink, and purple coloration
• Less aggressive than many other crayfish
• Easy to feed
• Excellent scavenger

 

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

• Temperature: 65°- 78° F (18° - 25° C)
• pH: 6.5 - 7.5
• KH: 6 - 15 dKH
• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons

 

CARE GUIDELINES:

• Diet: Crayfish are typically very easy to feed since they are mostly omnivorous scavengers. However, Cherax species can sometimes be a bit finicky. In addition to various plant matter, we have been feeding all of our Cherax crayfish frozen peas and carrots as well as frozen shrimp that is chopped into manageable pieces after thawing. We highly recommend that our customers at least initially offer this diet to their Cherax crayfish. In time, it is very likely that the crayfish will also accept high-quality dry foods, though a varied diet is required for optimal health, coloration, and activity. This species does best with a diet that is mostly vegetable matter.
• Social behavior: Can be aggressive/territorial with other crayfish, but is much less so than Procambarus species (such as the Electric Blue Crayfish).  Crayfish will typically eat whatever they can catch, but since they are slow-moving, they are not often able to harm fast-moving fish
• Origin: West Papua New Guinea
• Average adult size: 5 - 6 inches (12.7 - 15.2 cm)
• Average purchase size: Adults: 2+ inches (5cm),
• Recommended Aquatic Arts tankmates: Fast-moving fish (such as Celestial Pearl Danios, Rasboras, Guppies, etc.).  While dwarf shrimp can be kept successfully with these crayfish, caution should be exercised, as the crayfish have been known to catch and eat slow, sick, or particularly small shrimp.  Cichlids can be aggressive toward crayfish and should not be kept in the same tank.  Bottom-dwelling tankmates should definitely be avoided.

 

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