Description

A Yabbie makes an interesting addition to the home aquarium; they breathe through gills that are situated along each side of the body. For this reason good aeration and filtration are important for their well-being

Cherax destructor is the most widely distributed Cherax species in Australia, and ranges through parts of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and even the Northern Territory.

In nature yabbies are true scavengers, in the aquarium they will eat anything fish eat. Any sinking food is fine.

As yabbies grow they regularly shed their outer skeleton (moult) and at this time may be attacked and eaten by large fish eg. fully grown Oscars. They are quite safe in with average community tank species. If for any reason yabbies lose claws or limbs these will be re-grown over the next few moults.

Yabbies, as with other invertebrates, are sensitive to copper in water, therefore do not use aquarium medications containing copper in their tank.

If plants or decorations reach near the top of the aquarium, a coverglass should be used as yabbies may escape under these circumstances.