Orange Ghost AKA Fireball AKA Firecracker Crayfish (Procambarus Clarkii “Orange Ghost”), Tank-Bred!

This beautiful crayfish displays incredible neon orange and white coloration!

We are pleased to now offer the Orange Ghost Crayfish (an extremely rare color morph of Procambarus clarkii), also known as the Firecracker Crayfish, another one of the most beautiful freshwater crayfish available anywhere in the world.  It has never regularly been available in the United States…until now!   As with the original Ghost Crayfish, we are proud to be among the first stores to offer this unique crayfish in the US.  

The buzz surrounding this crayfish is due to its incredible orange and white coloration. Each specimen has a unique and complex marbled pattern of neon orange and bright white.  We ship these out as 1+ inch juveniles that have not yet reached their full color potential, but the coloration will greatly intensify with each molt as the crayfish matures over the course of 2 to 6 months. 

Though most crayfish are often reclusive by nature, this particular crayfish is very active by comparison and spends plenty of time exploring the floor of the aquarium in search of food.  The Orange Ghost Crayfish is an omnivorous scavenger and will eat most any meaty or plant-based foods.  This crayfish should not be kept with ornamental live plants as it will eat them at a surprising rate. It is a skilled climber, so extra care must be taken to ensure that it does not escape its enclosure.

As it reaches adulthood, the Orange Ghost Crayfish will become relatively territorial, so it may behave aggressively towards other animals in the tank.  It is important that ample hiding places such as rockwork, driftwood, or PVC pipes be provided.  This is even more crucial when housing multiple crayfish in the same tank.  Due to the size and waste production of this crayfish, a minimum 30-gallon, well-filtered aquarium is necessary for one adult.  A larger aquarium can house multiple adults of similar size.  This is a very hardy animal, but regular water changes are vital to its optimal health.  Other bottom-dwelling invertebrates and fish should not be kept with large crayfish.  It is possible to keep mid- and upper-level, fast-swimming fish with the Ghost Crayfish, but crayfish are opportunistic feeders and will generally eat whatever they can catch. 

As with all of our crayfish, the coloration of the Orange Ghost Crayfish is EXTREMELY high quality.  This crayfish may TEMPORARILY change color and hide more than usual after molting, which may occur during shipping.  If your crayfish has faded color and you find a molt in the bag or in your aquarium, do not worry; this is normal and the bright color will return in 2 weeks or less. 

 

What We Like About This Crayfish:

• Incredible orange and white coloration that makes for a wonderful centerpiece to the aquarium
• Much more active than many crayfish species
• Hardy and adaptable
• Excellent scavenger 

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

• Temperature: 65 – 76° F (18 – 24° C)
• pH: 6.5 – 7.5
• KH: 6 – 15 dKH
• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons

CARE INFORMATION:

• Diet: Omnivorous. High-quality sinking pellets, plants, and freeze-dried or frozen meaty foods will be readily accepted. Cuttlebone should be added to the aquarium to supplement calcium, which will aid in exoskeleton production.
• Social behavior: Can be aggressive/territorial with its own kind. Crayfish will typically eat whatever they can catch, but since they are slow-moving, they are not often able to harm fast-moving fish.
• Origin: Tank-bred, but indigenous to Southeastern United States
• Average adult size: 4 – 5 inches (10 – 12.7 cm) body length, minus claws
• Average purchase size: Juveniles – 1+ inch (2.5+ cm), Young Adults – 1.5+ inches (3.8+ cm)
• Recommended Aquatic Arts tank mates: Fast-moving fish (such as Celestial Pearl Danios, Rasboras, Guppies, etc.). While dwarf shrimp can be kept successfully with these crayfish, caution should be exercised, as the crayfish have been known to catch and eat slow, sick, or particularly small shrimp.  Cichlids can be aggressive toward crayfish and should not be kept in the same tank. Bottom-dwelling tankmates should definitely be avoided.

 

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