Dwarf Orange Crayfish (CPO)

Scientific Name: Cambarellus patzcuarensis

Other Scientific Names: Other Scientific

Names: Cambarellus patzcuarensis sp. Orange

Common Name:  Dwarf Orange Crayfish

Other Common Name: Dwarf Mexican Crayfish, CPO, Mexican dwarf crayfish

Temperament: Generally peaceful but territorial

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Easy

Care Level: Easy

Origin: Mexico

Found in Wild: Yes

Life Span: 1 - 4 years

Gestation Period:  N/A

Full Grown Size: Approx. 1 1/2" - 2"

Approximate Purchase Size: 0.75”-1.25”

General Water Parameters:

pH Range: 6.2 - 8.0, Ideal pH: 7.2

Temperature Range: 65 - 80, Ideal Temperature: 73

GH Range: 63 - 15 dkh Ideal Hardness: 8 dkh

KH Range:  .3-7 dkh Ideal Hardness 4 dkh

TDS Range: 150-300

Minimum Tank Size: 5 Gallon

Currently Being Fed: Ebita Breed Quatro 2

How big do Dwarf Orange Crayfish get?

At a maximum size of around 2 inches (5 cm), dwarf orange crayfish stay quite small. 

How many Dwarf Orange Crayfish can I keep per gallon?

Contrary to their larger cousins, they do fine in small aquariums. Something around 10 gallons (38L) would be a great place to start.

How long do Dwarf Orange Crayfish live?

2-3 years is the average lifespan of a CPO Dwarf Orange Crayfish.?

Is Dwarf Orange Crayfish easy to Breed?

Breeding dwarf orange crayfish is not too difficult and is a great option for the beginning breeder. If you have both males and females in your tank, breeding should occur soon enough. The male will pin the female down to mate, after which she 'saves' the sperm to later fertilize up to around 60 eggs. As with shrimp, these eggs will be carried between the back legs ('swimmerets') until they are ready to hatch.

If there are enough hiding places in the tank you don't have to provide any extra care. The young crayfish might spend the first few days after being released in hiding to prevent being eaten. This is nothing to worry about, and they should come out to forage alongside the adults soon enough!

What is the diet of Dwarf Orange Crayfish?

Dwarf crayfish are omnivorous scavengers that will consume anything edible they come across. This makes them a good addition to your aquarium 'cleaning crew'. They will eat any leftover bits that your fish miss.

A varied diet is the key to a healthy Mexican dwarf crayfish. A high quality invertebrate food makes a good staple and contains the nutrients your crayfish needs to grow and molt successfully. I imagine a color enhancing food such as this one might be a nice option to go for, as it might also help maintain that bright orange coloration.

Supplement with anything you can think of! Frozen foods (mosquito larvae, bloodworms, brine shrimp), freshly blanched veggies, algae tablets, they'll happily devour it all.

What are the best tankmates for Dwarf Orange Crayfish?

Crayfish, in general, are notorious in the aquarium hobby for their aggressive tendencies. Luckily, though, things are a little different with dwarf crays. Dwarf orange crayfish actually don't display aggression at all except during the occasional short territorial squabble with their own species. They can even be kept with shrimp! If you do spot your Mexican dwarf crayfish eating a shrimp or fish, then you can safely assume it was already dead.

When choosing tankmates for your dwarf orange crayfish, keep in mind that they aren't very large and might easily fall prey to hungry tankmates. Go for peaceful fish only and avoid anything that might be able to fit a crayfish in its mouth.

If you're planning on breeding your Mexican dwarf crayfish in the same tank, then it's probably a good idea to avoid fish altogether and only add other invertebrates like shrimp or snails.

What is the best way to Acclimate my new Dwarf Orange Crayfish?

When adding new tankmates to your already existing tank, it is important to take the proper steps in introducing and acclimating them into their new home. The whole process is extremely stressful for the crayfish. Acclimation is important for crayfish as it allows them time to adjust to the temperature and parameters of their new environment. By doing this correctly, you will reduce the chances of shock or death of your new crayfish. We recommend drip acclimation for crayfish as it is generally the best option to adjust them slowly to your tank.

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