White Crayfish

The White Crayfish is a selectively bred leucistic morph of Procambarus clarkii, the Red Swamp Crayfish, that lacks the typical red-brown pigmentation of wild specimens and instead displays clean ivory-white coloration across its entire body. This morph has been stabilized through captive breeding programs primarily in Asia and Europe.

Procambarus clarkii is one of the world's most studied freshwater crayfish and is highly adaptable, tolerating a broad range of temperatures, pH values, and water quality conditions. The White morph retains all the behavioral and physiological traits of the wild type, including burrowing, plant-eating, and moderate aggression toward conspecifics.

Keepers should provide caves, terracotta pots, or lengths of PVC pipe as shelter to reduce stress and aggression, especially during molting. Despite its tolerance for suboptimal conditions, clean, well-filtered water promotes health and maintains the whiteness of coloration.

Water: 15–28°C, pH 6.5–8.0, GH 5–20, KH 2–15; highly adaptable to varied conditions. Tank: minimum 80 L, sand or fine gravel, caves mandatory, avoid delicate plants. Feeding: omnivore — sinking pellets, vegetables, frozen foods, occasional protein; feed every 1–2 days. Breeding: prolific; female broods eggs under pleopods; juveniles can be raised with mother briefly. Compatibility: best in species tank; aggressive toward other crayfish and will eat shrimp and slow fish.