Cambarellus patzcuarensis is a small, threatened species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is endemic to Michoacán in Mexico and often kept in aquariums.

Description

It measures 4 - 5 cm in total length, including claws. Most specimens found in the wild are brown, sometimes with a gray or blue tint. Cambarellus patzcuarensis var. "Orange" (Mexican dwarf crayfish, sometimes Mexican dwarf orange crayfish) is an orange-coloured mutation often held in aquariums, but this form is rarely found in the wild.

Distribution

The species is named after Lake Pátzcuaro, at an altitude of 2035 m in Michoacán, Mexico. Besides in Lake Pátzcuaro, C. patzcuarensis also occurs in springs in Chapultepec, Opopeo and Tzurumutaro.

Conservation

C. patzcuarensis is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List.