Cherax pulcher
{{Short description|Species of crayfish}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Cherax pulcher 43003 (1).jpg
| image_caption =
| image2 = Cherax pulcher 43003 (2).jpg
| image2_caption = Mature (top) and immature (bottom) males of C. pulcher.
| genus = Cherax
| species = pulcher
| authority = Lukhaup, 2015{{cite web |url=http://www.zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/C7C4B1F7-E5C3-45B2-ADC3-DE05EF489EE4 |title=Cherax (Astaconephrops) pulcher Lukhaup, 2015 |website=ZooBank |accessdate=28 June 2015 }}
}}
Cherax pulcher is a species of crayfish from West Papua in Indonesia. It is popular as a freshwater aquarium species across Asia, Europe, and North America.{{cite journal |last=Lukhaup |first=Christian |date=4 May 2015 |title=Cherax (Astaconephrops) pulcher, a new species of freshwater crayfish (Crustacea, Decapoda, Parastacidae) from the Kepala Burung (Vogelkop) Peninsula, Irian Jaya (West Papua), Indonesia |url=https://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=5220 |journal=ZooKeys |publisher=Pensoft |issue=502 |pages=1–10 |doi=10.3897/zookeys.502.9800 |pmid=26019660 |accessdate=28 June 2015|pmc=4443586 |doi-access=free }}Chucholl, C. (2013). Invaders for sale: trade and determinants of introduction of ornamental freshwater crayfish. Biological invasions, 15(1), 125-141.Patoka, J., Kalous, L., & Kopecký, O. (2015). Imports of ornamental crayfish: the first decade from the Czech Republic’s perspective. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, (416), 04.
Etymology
Discovery
The species was first observed being sold for aquariums, where it was ascertained that it likely represented a new species. However, it proved difficult to track down, as dealers' claims as to its location proved difficult to corroborate. It was eventually traced to the Bird's Head Peninsula in New Guinea, where a number of specimens were collected with the help of the Maju Aquarium in Jakarta.
Description
Males of the species measure {{convert|75–98|mm|in}} in length, while females measure {{convert|83–90|mm|in}} long. The body is slightly oval in shape. The species has notably large eyes.
The species is brightly colored, with a pink cephalothorax that fades into greenish-grey on the sides. The rostrum is a greenish-blue, and the pleon is dark blue or black, with pinkish-grey or cream coloration on the margins (in some individuals the pleon is greenish-grey with pink speckles). The tail fan is cream-colored or pink around the outside margin. The legs are blue, and the chelae are blue with varying intensities, with cream-colored or white margins.
Taxonomy
Cherax pulcher is part of the subgenus Astaconephrops. It is the nineteenth Cherax species to have been discovered in West Papua in Indonesia (Cherax are not known from other Indonesian regions). The most morphologically similar species, C. boesemani, is found in the Ajamaru Lake and the Ajamaru River, approximately {{convert|22|km|mi}} away.
Range and habitat
So far the species has only been found in Hoa Creek near the village of Teminabuan in West Papua, Indonesia. The creek is clear, fast flowing in some places, with a sandy and rocky bottom.
Human use
The species is sold throughout Asia, Europe, and North America on the ornamental fish market, where it is commonly marketed under the names "Hoa Creek", "Blue Moon", or "Irian Jaya". Local people also harvest it as a source of food.
Conservation status
References
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Category:Crustaceans of Indonesia