‘Peacock’-colored creature — sold into pet trade — is new species from Indonesia
Sometimes for researchers to discover a new species, it takes years of trekking to remote regions of the planet and searching in nooks and crannies.
Other times, the new species arrives at their doorstep in special transport boxes from halfway across the world.
Researchers in Germany have been working with animal enthusiasts and exotic pet wholesalers for decades to get an insiders look at the river fauna of Indonesia, according to a study published June 6 in the peer-reviewed journal Arthropoda.
They are particularly interested in crayfish and those that come in bright and elaborate colors, perfect for collectors.
When the crayfish are sold worldwide, they are sold under color names like “Red cheek” or “Blue,” with their genus, according to the study, but oftentimes, they haven’t been officially documented in the scientific record.
Now, one of these aquarium-bound creatures has been revealed as a species new to science.
Meet Cherax niglin — the peacock crayfish.
The peacock crayfish was shipped to the German team in January from the Kaimana Regency of Indonesia, according to the study.
The crayfish was collected by the local community from under rocks, wood and debris in an “unnamed river,” researchers said, before it was given to KKCrayfish Farm in Jakarta and sent to Germany.
“To protect the species, we will not reveal the exact location. One of the creeks harboring these crayfish is clear, shallow, with a moderate flow,” researchers said. “... Crayfish hide in short burrows in the riverbank, under larger rocks or wood, or in detritus that is present in all the parts of the creek. The creek is surrounded by forest.”
The species is already available in the pet trade under the common name, the peacock crayfish.
The scientific name, however, honors the partnership between the crayfish community in Indonesia and the German research team.
“Cherax nigli n. sp. Is named in honor of Herbert Nigl, an aquarium wholesaler who for the last 25 years supported us by helping obtain new crayfish species from Papua (Indonesia),” researchers said. “His continuing effort is essential for achieving a better understanding of the crayfish of this region.”
The surface of the carapace, or its outer shell, of the peacock crayfish is “smooth” but covered in tiny bumps called tubercles on its sides, according to the study.
The crayfish has “large” eyes, researchers said, and their chelipeds, or the legs holding their pincers, are “blue and white with white joints and a red spot” behind the joints.
The back of the crayfish has banded white and blue coloration, photos show, with some exhibiting a more green color than blue.
The peacock crayfish have been found in the southeast of Kaimana Regency, on West Papua, an island in central Indonesia.
The research team includes Christian Lukhaup, Rury Eprilurahman and Thomas von Rintelen.
This story was originally published June 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM with the headline "‘Peacock’-colored creature — sold into pet trade — is new species from Indonesia."
