Self-Cloning Crayfish

Updated: 2/15/2009

Self-Cloning Crayfish – Marbled Crayfish – Marmorkrebs

Species Name: Procambarus Marmorkrebs
Common Names: Self-Cloning Crayfish, Marbled Crayfish, Marmorkrebs
Origin: Germany (more on this later)
Diet: Omnivore
Community Tank Safe: With Caution
Planted Tanks Safe: No

The Self-Cloning Crayfish was discovered in a German aquarium hobbyist’s aquarium in the 1990’s. Out side of that there is not much known about the origin of the amazing creature.

Adult Self-Cloning Crayfish

Marbled Crayfish, or Marmorkrebs, are easy to care for. They prefer semi-hard to hard water with slightly alkaline water. They will eat just about anything. Care must be taken to ensure this crayfish cannot climb out of the aquarium as they are accomplished climbers.

Marbled Crayfish Eggs about to hatch

The Self-Cloning Crayfish requires no mate to breed. They are completely asexual and are Parthenogenetic (all females). Once sexually mature the Marbled Crayfish will clone its self and have a clutch of babies that ranges from 20-200+. The older and more mature the adult is, the more babies that will be found in an average clutch.

Marmorkrebs Baby in a Straw

Once the young hatch, after a 20-40 day gestation, the adult will care for the young for a few days to a few weeks. The mother tends not to be cannibalistic and will protect her young from most threats!

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8 Responses to “Self-Cloning Crayfish”

1. Kim Says:
   December 23rd, 2008 at 3:07 pm

   I have a marbled cray that just self cloned and it is true that they will care for the young after hatching, mine carried hers and took care of them for nearly 2 weeks. This was her 1st clone and she was a peaceful mother that let them crawl all over her. I witnessed her taking them out to scavenge and when she was spooked she took her claws and slapped the ground with them and the babies immediately jumped back on her. It was a great experience.

2. Dan - TheShrimpFarm.com Says:
   February 14th, 2009 at 11:46 pm

   The Self-Cloning Crayfish in the pictures above has reproduced twice now. Both times she cared for the young a little over a week. Both clutches have been about the same amount of young (around 30).

   I look forward to furth clutches as she gets older!

3. Caryn Says:
   February 14th, 2009 at 11:50 pm

   I had a Marmorkreb climb out of the aquarium only to be found on the other side of the house in a closet. She was trying to climb up a wall and the scratching alerted me to her presence. She was bone dry but still kicking!

   After returning her to her aquarium she curled up and stayed that way for about a day. She is now fine, but as is mentioned above, if you are keeping this crayfish, make sure to keep the aquarium covered!

4. Barbara Says:
   February 18th, 2009 at 10:16 am

   I have a question about the keeping conditions. What temp seems to be best for this crayfish. I am expecting to get my first next week and I cannot find out if they would prefer cool water or heated. I am leaing to ward cool unheated water. Can you offer any advise here about your experiences with this issue?

5. Dan - TheShrimpFarm.com Says:
   February 18th, 2009 at 10:32 am

   Barbara,
   I keep my self-cloning crayfish in 70-76 degree water depending on the season here in Florida.

   What would the water temp be in an unheated aquarium in your house?

6. Barbara Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 8:53 am

   Hi,
   I actually have obtained one of these for myself! I am fascinated by them and figure they would make a good live food for my fish. I am keeping her at a temp of about 74 degrees with one of those small unadjustable heaters for nano tanks. Otherwise the temperature would probably fall below 70 degrees. She is small so no babies as of yet. Anacharis and peas seems to be favorite foods and she also eats strands of java moss ocasionally. Quite an interesting crayfish for sure!

7. Dan - TheShrimpFarm.com Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am

   Barbara,
   It is good to hear that you found one. In no time at all you will have quite a few!

8. Adrian Says:
   March 12th, 2009 at 11:49 am

   Hello all,
   I too have marbled crayfish. I had purchased 3 of them in January and am excited to say 2 are in berry and one has its babies slowly leaving their mom for a little exploration. My question to the veteran keepers of this magnificent animal is . . . what do you feed the babies? Do they eat everything the adults eat? Is there a particular food they prefer over others? Any help will be appreciated.

   For those interested, I have started a group on FB entitled Marmorkrebs. I have placed a few videos of my crays there.

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