Description
Brown Ghost Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii – brown Ghost Morph)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Procambarus clarkii (Brown Ghost morph)
Common Names: brown Ghost Crayfish, Ghost Brown Lobster
Family: Cambaridae
Origin: Captive-bred morph (wild type native to Southern USA & Mexico)
Size: 4 – 6 inches (10 – 15 cm)
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Tank Zone: Bottom dweller
🌊 Water Parameters
TDS: 150 – 300 ppm
pH: 6.5 – 8.0
Temperature: 20 – 26°C (68 – 79°F)
Hardness: 6 – 15 dGH
🦞 Characteristics
Unique ghostly brown coloration, sometimes with semi-transparent patches.
Under good lighting, appears icy-blue with a faint glow.
Hardy and adaptable, but territorial and aggressive.
Burrows in substrate and rearranges tank decor.
Molts several times per year; hides during molting phase.
🍽️ Food
Type: Omnivorous scavenger.
Diet: Sinking crayfish pellets, algae wafers, vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber), protein foods (bloodworms, shrimp, snails, frozen fish food).
Feeding Schedule: Once daily; avoid overfeeding.
🛠️ Tank Setup & Maintenance
Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons per adult.
Filtration: Strong filtration, high oxygenation.
Decor: Rocks, driftwood, PVC pipes, and caves for hiding.
Substrate: Sand or fine gravel to allow digging.
Water Changes: 25–30% weekly.
👥 Social Behavior
Best kept alone due to territorial nature.
Can coexist with fast, upper-level fish (danios, barbs, rainbowfish).
Not safe with slow fish, shrimp, or snails – may attack or eat them.
Keeping multiple crayfish requires very large tanks with plenty of hiding spaces.
✅ Do’s
Provide secure hiding places for molting.
Use a lid – crayfish are escape artists.
Offer a mixed diet to support healthy coloration.
❌ Don’ts
Don’t keep with small or bottom-dwelling fish.
Don’t add delicate plants – they’ll be uprooted.
Don’t keep in overcrowded tanks.
⭐ Quick Tips
Stunning icy-brown ghostlike crayfish, rare in the hobby.
Hardy and beginner-friendly but aggressive.
Best suited for species-only tanks or tanks with carefully chosen, fast-moving fish
