Mexican dwarf crayfish (orange)

Overview

The Mexican dwarf crayfish (Cambarellus patzcuarensis), sold as CPO, is a small crayfish from Lake Pátzcuaro in Mexico. The bright orange form in stores is a captive-bred variety; wild animals are brownish.

At about 1.2-1.6 in (3-4 cm), it is one of the few crayfish that can live in a community tank without wrecking it. It is great fun to watch as it explores, digs, defends its cave and strolls around with its claws raised. Before buying, check your state and local regulations: some US states and other countries restrict or ban keeping non-native crayfish.

Care and tank setup

For a pair or trio, plan on about 15 gallons (54 L) with lots of floor space rather than height. Hiding places are essential: rocks, driftwood, ceramic tubes and dense plants, at least one per animal. Use a tight lid and cover filter intakes, because it climbs tubing and escapes.

• Molting: it sheds its shell several times a year and is defenseless while soft. It needs hides and calcium (moderately hard, slightly alkaline water).
• Tankmates: fine with small, fast midwater and surface fish. It may grab shrimp, fry and fish that sleep on the bottom, and it is prey for cichlids and large fish.
• Plants: it leaves most alone but sometimes snips fine stems.

Keep it on the cool side: above 79 °F (26 °C) its lifespan drops. Never release it: non-native crayfish devastate native species.

Feeding

It is an easygoing omnivore. Offer sinking wafers, shrimp and crayfish foods, frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp), blanched vegetables and dried Indian almond or oak leaves. Feed small amounts once a day or every other day and remove leftovers. A calcium-rich food helps it molt cleanly.

Breeding

It breeds readily in aquariums. After mating, the female carries the eggs under her tail for three to four weeks, fanning them while she hides. Fully formed baby crayfish hatch and stay near her for a few days. With moss and hiding spots many survive without being moved; in a tank with fish, most get eaten.

Compatible tank mates

Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Mexican dwarf crayfish (orange). Calculated from the data in each profile.

Check the compatibility of your whole tank →

What not to keep it with

Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Mexican dwarf crayfish (orange), and why.

• Cherry barb: one may eat the other due to size
• Tiger barb: one may eat the other due to size
• Betta fish: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
• Bronze cory: one may eat the other due to size
• Panda cory: one may eat the other due to size
• Zebra danio: one may eat the other due to size
• Discus: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, one may eat the other due to size
• Guppy: one may eat the other due to size

Recommended equipment

What you need to keep the Mexican dwarf crayfish (orange) healthy, checked against Amazon stock.