Easy to intermediate
Chocolate Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
£13.99
Red Claw Blue Lobster is a large Australian freshwater crayfish for a mature, heated and escape-proof aquarium with hard water, strong filtration and robust caves.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Cherax quadricarinatus
Red Claw Blue Lobster is a large Australian freshwater crayfish for a mature, heated and escape-proof aquarium with hard water, strong filtration and robust caves.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Red Claw Blue Lobster, Cherax quadricarinatus, is a large Australian freshwater crayfish with powerful claws, an inquisitive bottom-dwelling nature and colour that can combine blue, green, bronze and red. It is also called Red Claw Crayfish, Australian Red Claw Crayfish or Blue Lobster in the aquarium trade. Despite the lobster name, this is a freshwater crayfish, so its aquarium must be planned around climbing, digging, moulting and territorial behaviour rather than ordinary community-fish care.
This is an absorbing animal for a keeper who wants a visible, interactive crustacean and is prepared to build the aquarium around it. A settled individual may patrol the front glass, move small pieces of decor, carry food back to a cave and become active when it recognises the feeding routine. That strength and curiosity are also why a tight lid, stable rockwork, several shelters and a mature filter are essential.
Choose between the live size options shown beside the current price and availability. Both are juveniles and both need the same adult plan. One quantity means one unsexed crayfish at approximately the selected size, with natural variation between living animals. The gallery shows representative appearance and habitat context; it does not promise the exact individual, sex, colour intensity or adult shade that will be dispatched.
First-time customers can use WELCOME10 where the code is eligible, and qualifying live-animal deliveries are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee when the delivery terms are followed. Please finish the aquarium, cycle the filter and secure every opening before ordering. A young animal may look compact, but it should never be bought for a temporary container with no credible adult home.
| Scientific name | Cherax quadricarinatus |
|---|---|
| Common names | Red Claw Blue Lobster, Red Claw Crayfish, Australian Red Claw Crayfish, Blue Lobster |
| Animal type | Large freshwater crayfish in the family Parastacidae |
| Origin | Tropical northern Australia, especially Queensland and the Northern Territory |
| Care level | Intermediate to specialist |
| Temperament | Territorial, opportunistic, strong and best planned as species-first |
| Common adult plan | Allow for roughly 18-20 cm; exceptional males can become larger |
| Long-term aquarium | 120 litres minimum for one; 180 litres or more preferred, with at least about 90 cm frontage |
| Core temperature | 22-26 C, kept stable |
| Core water range | pH 7.0-8.5; approximately 5-22 dGH |
| Diet | Varied sinking crustacean foods, plant matter, leaf litter and measured protein foods |
| Essential equipment | Mature filter, good aeration, secure lid, robust caves and a heater protected from contact |
Cherax quadricarinatus is native to warm freshwater habitats in northern Australia. Its shell colour is naturally variable. Juveniles sold as blue forms can be bright cobalt or turquoise, while others show olive, bronze or darker blue tones. Colour can change after a moult and can be influenced by age, genetics, diet, background, lighting, water chemistry and stress. A temporary pale or dark phase is therefore not automatically a health problem.
The common name comes from the soft red patch on the outside of the large claw in mature males. Young animals may not show it clearly, and females do not develop the same conspicuous patch. At small sale sizes, sexing by a photograph or body shape is unreliable. We do not promise a male, female, pair or chosen colour grade.
Plan around adult body mass, not just length. Around 18-20 cm is a sensible common planning range, while specialist records note that exceptional males can approach 30 cm. That upper figure is not the expected size of every animal, but it explains why a wide floor area, strong filtration and robust furnishings matter. A tall narrow tank can hold many litres while still giving a crayfish very little usable territory.
| Feature | What is normal | What is not guaranteed |
|---|---|---|
| Blue intensity | May brighten or darken with age, lighting, background and moulting | An exact shade matching a screen or photograph |
| Red claw mark | Usually becomes most obvious in mature males | A visible red patch on every juvenile |
| Body size | Natural variation around the selected live size | An exact measurement to the millimetre |
| Sex | May become clearer as the animal matures | A selected male, female or breeding pair |
| Gallery match | Representative species colour and form | The exact photographed individual |
Current GOV.UK guidance for England and Wales identifies Red Claw Crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, as the crayfish exception that can be kept without a licence when it is held in an indoor aquarium for ornamental use. That wording matters. It does not make outdoor ponds acceptable, does not permit release, and does not automatically describe the rules in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Keep this animal in a heated indoor aquarium and prevent escape. Never release it into a river, canal, lake, pond, drain or flood-prone outdoor container. Non-native crayfish can affect habitats and carry disease even when the keeper believes a local waterway looks suitable. If you can no longer care for the animal, arrange responsible rehoming through an experienced aquatic keeper or retailer.
Rules can change and circumstances differ by nation, premises and intended use. The linked official guidance is the right starting point for England and Wales; keepers elsewhere should check the authority responsible for non-native species before ordering. The animal's accepted identity should be retained with its care records because common names such as Blue Lobster can be applied inconsistently in trade.
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Indoor ornamental aquarium in England or Wales | Current guidance permits Red Claw Crayfish without a licence; keep the scientific identity recorded |
| Keeper in Scotland or Northern Ireland | Check the relevant national authority before purchase rather than relying on England-and-Wales wording |
| Outdoor pond, greenhouse vat or flood-prone container | Do not use it as the animal's home |
| Animal can no longer be kept | Arrange secure rehoming; never release or abandon it |
| Another crayfish species is being considered | Do not assume the same exception applies; verify the exact scientific name and rules |
For one Red Claw Crayfish, our cautious long-term recommendation is at least 120 litres with roughly 90 cm or more of frontage; 180 litres or more is preferred for an adult. This is a practical aquarium recommendation based on adult size, territory, waste production and usable floor area. It is not a legal threshold or a measurement taken from the wild.
A smaller mature aquarium can serve briefly as a carefully managed juvenile grow-on tank, but it is not a reason to postpone the adult plan. The animal will not stay 4-7 cm. Moving a territorial crayfish after it has outgrown its aquarium can be difficult, particularly if a larger replacement tank is not cycled. Set up the long-term home first whenever possible.
Footprint is more important than height. A long, wide aquarium provides room for separate feeding and shelter zones, while a tall display may offer little more than one contested patch of substrate. The aquarium care planner can help organise the water and maintenance requirements, but its output should be interpreted alongside the adult floor-space guidance here.
| Stage | Practical use | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Retail juvenile | Temporary grow-on only if mature, covered and closely maintained | Have the adult aquarium ready before growth creates an emergency |
| One growing animal | Increase usable floor area, cave size and filter capacity ahead of growth | Do not wait for repeated escape attempts or poor water tests |
| One adult | 120 litres minimum; 180 litres or more preferred | Aim for at least about 90 cm frontage and several robust shelters |
| More than one | Not the default recommendation | Needs substantially more separated territory, redundant hides and an immediate separation plan |
A secure lid is essential. Crayfish can climb filter pipes, airline, heater cables, textured backgrounds and decor that reaches towards the surface. Cover cable notches and pipe cut-outs without blocking necessary ventilation, keep the waterline below the rim and inspect the lid every time equipment is moved. A gap that looks too small can become usable when the animal braces its legs and claws against nearby equipment.
Place heavy rocks directly and securely so digging cannot undermine them. Avoid unstable piles, narrow crevices that may trap a newly moulted animal and sharp ornaments that can damage soft shell. Wood and caves should be large enough for the crayfish to turn around as it grows. Several shelters are better than one perfect-looking central cave because the animal can choose a retreat during different stages of the moult cycle.
Protect the heater with a suitable guard or place it where direct contact is unlikely. Cover filter intakes that could trap a limb without starving the filter of flow. Keep electrical equipment in good condition and use a drip loop. A basic freshwater aquarium setup guide covers the normal foundations; the extra requirement here is designing every opening and furnishing for a strong climbing crustacean.
| Area | Required condition | Common failure |
|---|---|---|
| Lid | Close fitting, weighted or latched where appropriate | Loose feeding flap or uncovered corner |
| Cables and pipes | Small protected openings with no climbing route | Large cut-out around an external-filter hose |
| Rockwork | Stable before substrate is added | Heavy stone resting on diggable gravel |
| Caves | Several smooth, adult-sized retreats | One narrow hide that becomes too small |
| Heater | Guarded or positioned away from claws | Exposed glass heater beside the main cave |
| Intake | Protected while maintaining adequate flow | Open slots that can catch a limb or soft animal |
A useful aquarium target is 22-26 C, pH 7.0-8.5 and approximately 5-22 dGH. These broad values are not an invitation to let the aquarium swing from one end to the other. Choose a stable point within the overlap of your source water and the animal's needs, then avoid sudden changes during maintenance or acclimation.
Redclaw is a warm-water species. Commercial growth data often cites 26-29 C, but that is production context rather than a requirement to keep a home display at the upper edge. Higher temperature also increases metabolism and oxygen demand. A stable 22-26 C aquarium offers a sensible core range while avoiding cold rooms and summer overheating.
Mineral content matters because the new shell must harden after a moult. Very soft, acidic water can make this more difficult. Test the source water before adding products, and avoid adjusting chemistry by guesswork. Our aquarium water chemistry guide explains pH, GH and KH separately so that a number is not corrected with the wrong additive.
| Measure | Target | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-26 C | Supports warm-water metabolism without making the upper production range the default |
| pH | 7.0-8.5 | Neutral to alkaline water supports shell condition better than acidic water |
| General hardness | About 5-22 dGH | Provides a workable mineral range for moulting and shell hardening |
| Ammonia | 0 mg/L | Any measurable result calls for immediate investigation |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/L | Shows whether biological filtration is coping |
| Nitrate | Kept low and stable | Guides maintenance and feeding without imposing one universal figure |
| Oxygen | Strong gas exchange and steady surface movement | Especially important in warm water and after feeding |
A large crayfish creates far more waste than a small ornamental shrimp. Use a mature biological filter sized for the adult animal, not only the juvenile arriving today. The Aquael Ultra External Filter is one example of a filter range to compare against the actual aquarium volume and required turnover. Equipment choice still needs to account for hose security, intake protection and the ability to service media without destabilising the tank.
Provide steady surface movement and good gas exchange. An Aquael OxyPro Air Pump can add aeration where the aquarium and filter arrangement require it, but bubbles do not replace biological filtration or water changes. Warm water holds less oxygen, and decomposing food consumes more, so feeding control and surface movement work together.
Do not add the crayfish to a tank that has only been filled for a few days. A cycled aquarium has established bacteria that process ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate. Confirm zero ammonia and nitrite under a realistic bioload before delivery. The Tetra Ammonia Test Kit can support routine checks, alongside nitrite, nitrate, pH, GH and KH tests appropriate to the aquarium.
| Need | Good approach | Do not rely on |
|---|---|---|
| Biological capacity | Mature filter media sized for an adult, messy animal | A new filter installed on delivery day |
| Mechanical capture | Accessible media that can remove food and shell fragments | Leaving debris to decay behind decor |
| Gas exchange | Surface movement, sensible temperature and optional air stone | Bubbles alone in a poorly filtered tank |
| Intake safety | Guard or sponge that still permits adequate flow | An open intake beside the main shelter |
| Monitoring | Regular tests plus observation of breathing and activity | Clear-looking water as proof that water is safe |
A crayfish grows by shedding its old exoskeleton. Before a moult it may eat less, hide more and become less active. During and immediately after the shed, the new shell is soft and the animal is vulnerable. Do not pull it from a cave, handle it, rearrange the aquarium or introduce companions during this period.
Leave the shed shell in the aquarium unless it is fouling the water or there is another clear reason to remove it. The crayfish may consume much of it and recover minerals. The empty shell can look alarmingly like a dead animal, so confirm the crayfish is hiding before assuming the worst. A complete shed usually includes delicate antenna and leg shapes.
Good moults depend on more than one supplement. Stable pH and hardness, varied nutrition, good oxygen, low waste and a secure retreat all contribute. Repeated incomplete moults, a shell that remains soft, unusual limb loss or persistent weakness should trigger a review of water chemistry, diet, temperature, recent treatments and possible harassment.
| Stage | Possible signs | Keeper response |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-moult | Reduced appetite, more hiding, quieter behaviour | Keep conditions stable and make the retreat inaccessible to companions |
| Shedding | Animal lies unusually or works free of the old shell | Do not touch, net or disturb it |
| Soft shell | Pale, flexible-looking body and prolonged hiding | Maintain oxygen and security; avoid major maintenance |
| Recovery | Shell firms, appetite returns and activity increases | Resume measured feeding and observe limb function |
| Concern | Repeated failed shed, persistent weakness or foul water | Test immediately and seek experienced aquatic-veterinary advice where needed |
Cherax quadricarinatus is an opportunistic omnivore. Use a quality sinking crustacean food as the foundation, then rotate algae-based foods, safe vegetable matter, leaf litter and measured protein foods. Variety is more useful than repeatedly offering one rich food. Feed amounts the animal can finish and remove leftovers before they soften into the substrate or filter.
The Cambarellus-VITAL Crayfish Food is an optional crustacean food to compare for pellet size and ingredients; it should form part of a varied plan rather than the entire diet. Green Algae Wafers can contribute plant material, while Crustacean Frozen Fish Food can be used sparingly as a protein-rich rotation food. Remove any thawed food that is not eaten promptly.
Offer food near the shelter after lights dim if a new arrival is shy. Use feeding tongs only to place food, never to tease or grab the animal. Appetite may reduce before a moult, but prolonged refusal accompanied by poor posture, rapid movement at the surface or abnormal water results needs investigation. A hungry crayfish may become more destructive, yet overfeeding is not a safe way to prevent predation.
| Food type | Role | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Sinking crustacean pellet | Consistent staple with trace nutrients | Choose an appropriate size and remove uneaten pieces |
| Algae wafer or plant-rich food | Plant material and grazing variety | Rotate rather than offering unlimited wafers |
| Blanched vegetable | Texture and plant variety | Use a small portion and remove it the same day |
| Leaf litter | Natural grazing surface and shelter enrichment | Use aquarium-safe leaves without pesticides |
| Frozen crustacean or other protein food | Measured protein variety | Offer sparingly; thaw and portion before feeding |
| Old moult | Mineral recovery | Leave temporarily if water quality remains sound |
Expect a bottom-oriented animal that explores by touch and smell. Some individuals are visible throughout the day; others wait until the room quietens or the aquarium lights dim. Carrying food, moving loose substrate, defending a cave, standing at the entrance with raised claws and testing climbing routes can all be normal.
Normal territorial display should not be confused with proof that cohabitation is safe. A crayfish that ignores a fish for weeks may still catch it while it rests near the substrate. Likewise, an animal that shares a cave area as a juvenile may become intolerant after growth or a moult. Behaviour is individual and can change.
Provide enrichment through a complex but stable layout: more than one tunnel, safe wood, shaded cover, open feeding space and varied surfaces. Avoid constant redecorating. The animal establishes familiar routes and retreats, and repeated disruption can leave it exposed during a vulnerable stage.
The lowest-risk arrangement is one Red Claw Crayfish in its own properly sized aquarium. It is not shrimp safe, not reliably snail safe, not reliably plant safe and not guaranteed safe with fish. Claws, night activity and opportunistic feeding mean that peaceful behaviour observed during the day cannot remove the risk.
Small bottom fish, corydoras, loaches, small plecos, slow fish, long-finned fish and sleeping livebearers are particularly exposed. Fast midwater fish are sometimes kept with large crayfish in spacious aquariums, but that remains a risk decision rather than a recommendation or guarantee. Make sure every companion also matches the warm, neutral-to-alkaline water.
Keeping two crayfish together carries risks during territorial disputes and moulting. A larger aquarium, many separated shelters and broken lines of sight reduce but do not remove those risks. Never buy two juveniles on the assumption that they will become a compatible pair. Maintain an immediately usable separate aquarium or divider if cohabitation is attempted.
| Companion or setup | Risk | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Single crayfish, species-first aquarium | Lowest | Removes predation and most territorial conflict with tank mates |
| Robust fast midwater fish | Conditional | Capture is still possible, especially when fish rest |
| Another large crayfish | High | Territory and soft-shell vulnerability can lead to serious injury |
| Dwarf shrimp or small snails | Very high | Likely to be treated as food |
| Corydoras, loaches or small plecos | Very high | Share the bottom and shelter zones |
| Bettas, guppies or long-finned fish | Very high | Slow movement and resting behaviour increase capture risk |
| Delicate aquascape | High damage risk | Digging, cutting and moving decor are natural behaviours |
Red Claw Crayfish can dig, clip shoots and uproot plants. Hardy epiphytes attached securely to wood or rock may survive better than delicate stems or carpeting plants, but no plant is guaranteed safe. The beginner live-plant guide can help compare robust plant types, provided the layout accepts that this animal may redesign it.
Sand or smooth gravel is easier on the underside than sharp substrate and allows natural digging. Keep the bed shallow beneath heavy structures so the crayfish cannot excavate a collapse. Dark wood, pale sand and shaded caves can make blue and bronze tones easier to see, but visual contrast should never take priority over stable furnishings.
Use aquarium-safe materials only. Avoid copper ornaments, exposed metal, painted items not intended for aquariums and shells collected from unknown environments. Rinse new decor without detergent and check that every opening remains usable after the crayfish gains body width.
The product selector shows the live sizes currently offered. A 4-5 cm animal may be less imposing on arrival, while a 5-7 cm animal is further into juvenile growth. Neither option is a different species, colour guarantee or adult-size class. Select by the aquarium's readiness and your experience, not by the hope that the smaller size will remain small.
Each quantity is one unsexed live crayfish at approximately the chosen size. Natural variation is expected because length, claw proportion and colour cannot be standardised like a manufactured object. Multiple quantities do not guarantee a pair, a compatible group or a chosen sex ratio. Do not order more than one unless the adult enclosure and separation plan already exist.
| Quantity | One live Red Claw Crayfish per unit selected |
|---|---|
| Size | Approximately the option shown, with normal live-animal variation |
| Sex | Unsexed; no chosen male or female |
| Pair | No breeding pair or compatible pair guaranteed |
| Colour | Representative blue form with natural variation and change after moulting |
| Photograph | Representative, not the exact dispatched animal |
| Adult care | Identical long-term space, security and filtration planning for either juvenile option |
Prepare the aquarium before delivery: mature filter, tested water, secure lid, protected heater, stable caves and low lighting. Read the current live-animal delivery and guarantee information before selecting a date. Be present to receive the parcel and follow the instructions supplied with the order, because travel conditions and the receiving aquarium both affect the safest acclimation method.
Do not open the transport bag and leave it standing for a long period. Match temperature as directed, introduce the animal carefully without adding transport water to the aquarium, and release it beside a prepared shelter. Never lift a crayfish by a claw or leg. If it must be guided, use a suitable container and keep hands away from the claws.
Keep lighting low and disturbance minimal for the rest of the day. A new arrival may hide, refuse the first meal or appear duller than the gallery. Offer a small sinking food once it has settled, then remove leftovers. If there is a delivery concern, use the guarantee process promptly and preserve the packaging and requested evidence.
| Time | Look for | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Normal movement, intact limbs and access to a shelter | Keep light low and follow the supplied acclimation instructions |
| First night | Quiet exploration or continued hiding | Secure the lid and avoid forcing the animal into view |
| Days 1-2 | Interest in a small sinking food | Remove leftovers and do not overfeed to provoke a response |
| Days 2-4 | Zero ammonia and nitrite, stable temperature and normal posture | Test promptly if activity or breathing changes |
| Days 4-7 | Regular use of shelters and normal shell condition | Review flow, security and water chemistry before changing decor |
Observe the crayfish daily and remove obvious uneaten food. Check that filter flow and surface movement remain strong, the lid is seated correctly and no cable opening has widened. Count limbs without chasing the animal; a missing limb may regenerate over later moults, but the cause should still be investigated.
Use regular partial water changes with dechlorinated replacement water reasonably matched for temperature and chemistry. Vacuum accessible debris without dismantling every shelter. Rinse mechanical media when flow falls, using removed aquarium water where practical, and never replace all mature biological media at once.
Record temperature, pH, GH, KH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate often enough to see trends. A stable log is more informative than one isolated test after a problem appears. Check the aquarium more frequently during hot weather, after a moult, after equipment changes and after any period of reduced appetite.
| Frequency | Task | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Observe posture, shell, appetite, lid and equipment | Find changes before they become emergencies |
| After feeding | Remove soft leftovers | Limit ammonia and oxygen demand |
| Several times weekly | Check temperature, flow and surface movement | Catch heater, blockage or aeration faults |
| Weekly or as tests indicate | Partial water change and targeted substrate cleaning | Control dissolved and solid waste without sudden disruption |
| Periodically | Inspect caves, pipe gaps, heater guard and intake cover | Keep the enclosure secure as the animal grows |
A healthy settled crayfish should react to its surroundings, use shelters, maintain a firm shell between moults and show interest in food according to its normal rhythm. Hiding before and after a moult can be normal. Diagnose the environment before assuming every quiet period is disease.
Warning signs include repeated escape attempts, prolonged surface climbing, persistent weakness, loss of balance, foul-smelling water, a shell that stays soft, repeated failed moults, unusual lesions or continued refusal to eat outside a likely moult window. Test ammonia, nitrite, temperature, pH and oxygen conditions immediately and inspect equipment.
Crustaceans can be sensitive to treatments used routinely for fish, particularly copper-containing medicines. Never dose the main aquarium without confirming that the exact product and concentration are appropriate for crayfish. When a diagnosis or treatment is uncertain, seek advice from an aquatic veterinarian or a keeper experienced with large Cherax.
| Observation | Possible normal explanation | Investigate when |
|---|---|---|
| Hiding | New arrival, daytime rest or pre/post-moult behaviour | Water tests are abnormal or weakness persists after recovery time |
| Reduced appetite | Short pre-moult period | It continues with poor posture, lesions or deteriorating water |
| Empty crayfish-shaped shell | A complete moult | The animal cannot be found and the enclosure was not secure |
| Colour change | Age, background, lighting, stress or a recent moult | It accompanies soft shell, tissue damage or abnormal behaviour |
| Climbing | Occasional exploration | It is persistent, especially near the surface or with low oxygen signs |
Mature males usually develop the characteristic red patch on the outer margin of the large claw and may become heavier-clawed. Females can have a broader abdomen, but reliable sexing uses the position of reproductive openings on the underside, not colour alone. Juvenile proportions can be misleading.
Breeding is not a suitable beginner project. Adults can be territorial, females carrying eggs need security, and large numbers of juveniles need space, filtration and responsible homes. Never breed or distribute non-native crayfish without understanding the legal and welfare obligations that apply where you live.
This listing is for an unsexed individual. Ordering two does not create a guaranteed male-female pair and may create an immediate territorial problem. Buy for the value of one well-kept animal, not on an assumption that reproduction will follow.
Choose Red Claw Crayfish if you enjoy observing natural crustacean behaviour and can provide a secure, warm, mineral-supportive aquarium with substantial floor area. It rewards careful planning with bold movement, feeding interaction and fascinating moulting behaviour.
Choose a different animal if your priority is a delicate planted aquascape, dwarf shrimp colony, peaceful bottom-fish community or open-top display. It is also a poor choice when the adult tank is only an intention, the source water is very soft and acidic with no stable adjustment plan, or nobody can receive live delivery promptly.
| Good fit | Poor fit |
|---|---|
| Secure heated indoor aquarium | Open-top tank or outdoor pond |
| 120 litres minimum for one adult, with useful floor area | Small tall aquarium chosen only by litre figure |
| Mature filtration and regular testing | New, uncycled or lightly filtered setup |
| Robust caves and stable decor | Loose rocks or delicate aquascape |
| Species-first expectations | Need for guaranteed shrimp, snail or fish compatibility |
| Acceptance of natural colour variation | Expectation of an exact photographed shade or sex |
| Long-term rehoming responsibility | Any possibility of outdoor release |
Legal wording and the England-and-Wales scope were checked against the current GOV.UK non-native fish, lobster and crayfish guidance and the Cefas Fish Health Inspectorate overview. Native range, pH, temperature-production context, oxygen and mineral notes were checked against the Queensland Government redclaw profile.
Colour, sexual dimorphism and exceptional adult size were cross-checked with Aquarium Glaser's specialist species account. Diet wording is deliberately broad and is supported by a peer-reviewed redclaw nutrition study indexed by PubMed. Practical tank volume, frontage and species-first recommendations are cautious husbandry judgements built from adult size, waste and territorial floor use; they are not presented as official legal minima or measurements from a field study.
No. Cherax quadricarinatus is a freshwater crayfish. Blue Lobster is a common aquarium-trade name, but care must account for crayfish claws, moulting, digging and escape behaviour.
The scientific name is Cherax quadricarinatus. Recording that name is important because common names are inconsistent and the legal status of other crayfish species can differ.
Plan for a substantial adult of roughly 18-20 cm. Exceptional mature males can approach 30 cm, although that is not the expected size of every individual.
Our cautious practical recommendation is at least 120 litres with around 90 cm or more of frontage; 180 litres or more is preferred. Floor area matters more than height.
Keep a stable 22-26 C as the core aquarium range. Avoid cold rooms, sudden water-change shifts and summer overheating, and maintain good oxygenation.
Aim for pH 7.0-8.5 and approximately 5-22 dGH. Stable neutral-to-alkaline, mineral-supportive water is preferable to soft acidic conditions that can hinder shell hardening.
Yes. Use a close-fitting lid and cover openings around filters, airline and cables. Crayfish are strong climbers and can use equipment as an escape route.
No fish is guaranteed safe. Fast midwater fish are sometimes attempted in a large aquarium, but sleeping, slow and bottom-dwelling fish can be caught. A species-first setup is safer.
Treat dwarf shrimp and small snails as prey. Do not choose this species for a shrimp colony or expect invertebrate companions to remain safe.
It can dig, cut and uproot plants. Hardy plants secured to wood or rock may last better, but even those are not guaranteed to remain untouched.
Use a varied omnivorous diet based on sinking crustacean food, plant-rich foods, safe vegetables, leaf litter and occasional measured protein foods. Remove leftovers promptly.
A new arrival or an animal preparing to moult may hide and eat less. Check water and equipment, keep the shelter quiet and investigate if weakness or refusal continues beyond a likely moult period.
Usually leave it temporarily if water quality remains good. The crayfish may eat much of the shell and recover minerals; remove only deteriorating leftovers as needed.
No. The animals are sold unsexed, especially at juvenile size. A visible red claw patch generally develops in mature males and may not be clear when young.
No. The gallery is representative. Colour and proportions vary with the individual, age, lighting, background and moult stage, and the exact photographed animal is not promised.
Current GOV.UK guidance permits Cherax quadricarinatus without a licence in an indoor ornamental aquarium in England and Wales. Rules elsewhere in the UK must be checked with the relevant national authority.
Contact an experienced aquatic keeper or retailer to arrange secure rehoming. Never release the animal into any pond, river, canal, drain or other outdoor water. For order-specific help, use our contact page.
For help with an order or the live-delivery process, please contact Tropical Fish Co.
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 1000L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L
28–30°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 300L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 200L
22–28°C · pH 7–8.5 · 10L
23–27°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 80L