Dwarf Brazos Blue Crayfish
The Blue Brazos Dwarf Crayfish, scientifically known as Cambarellus texanus "Blue," is an exceptional color morph that brings intrigue to the nano aquarium. This miniature freshwater crayfish displays a bright and striking blue coloration throughout its entire body. It possesses an outgoing personality, making it an interesting addition to your aquatic setup. While dwarf crayfish are often referred to as mini lobsters, it's important to note that true lobsters do not exist in freshwater.
In terms of appearance and behavior, the Blue Brazos Dwarf Crayfish is similar to the Orange CPO Crayfish, with the notable difference being the color. To maintain the vibrant blue coloration of this crayfish throughout adulthood, it is crucial to keep the pH consistently below 6.8. If the pH rises above this threshold, the crayfish may revert back to a brown coloration after molting. Therefore, maintaining a pH at or below 6.8 is essential for preserving its beautiful blue hue.
Dwarf crayfish, including the Blue Brazos variety, are beloved invertebrates at Aquatic Arts. They are larger in size than dwarf shrimp, reaching a maximum length of 1.6 inches, and they also tend to live longer. Despite their larger size, they can comfortably thrive in tanks as small as five gallons. These crayfish are active and typically do not hide during the day, distinguishing them from many larger crayfish species. Adding them to your aquarium brings excitement and serves as an excellent introduction to the world of invertebrates if you haven't delved into it already. However, since they are skilled climbers, it is essential to take extra precautions to prevent them from escaping their enclosure.
While the Blue Brazos Dwarf Crayfish is generally not a threat to most tank inhabitants, it has been known to target dwarf shrimp on occasion. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that dwarf shrimp will be safe when housed together. Although these crayfish are typically peaceful, it's important to recognize that all crayfish are opportunistic omnivorous hunters and scavengers. There is a small chance that they may attempt to nip at the fins of slow-moving fish or those with long, flowing fins. However, they have been successfully kept with fast-moving small fish species such as rasboras, rainbowfish, and danios with minimal to no issues. Caution should always be exercised when cohabitating crayfish with other tank mates.
