Rusty Crayfish

Orconectes rusticus, the Rusty Crayfish, is native to the Ohio River basin and Great Lakes drainages of the USA, easily identified by the distinctive rust-coloured spots on each side of its carapace. It is a robust, aggressive species with powerful chelae and an assertive disposition that makes it a compelling but demanding display animal.

This species has become invasive in numerous water bodies outside its native range due to its aggression, reproductive rate, and tolerance of varied conditions. For this reason, keepers must take responsibility for ensuring escape is impossible and that all waste water is disposed of appropriately. Regulations on keeping this species vary by jurisdiction.

In a dedicated species tank, O. rusticus is an entertaining and interactive crayfish that will quickly learn to associate its keeper with feeding time. It demands a large, well-filtered tank with robust shelter, and absolutely cannot be kept with shrimp, snails, or slow-moving fish.

Water: 10–24°C, pH 7.0–8.5, GH 5–20, KH 3–15; highly adaptable, tolerates hard water well. Tank: minimum 80 L, robust shelter, tight lid, strong filtration; will destroy all plants. Feeding: omnivore — sinking pellets, vegetables, frozen protein, occasional live invertebrates. Breeding: seasonal; cool conditioning triggers breeding; female broods eggs under pleopods. Compatibility: highly aggressive — species tank only; never with shrimp, snails, or slow fish.