So what can anybody tell me about keeping red claw crayfish then? Will the tank need cycling? What size tank needed for 1? and how much bigger for 1+ etc etc...i'd love to have a nice crayfish tank done by christmas.

This post has been edited by leelee862: Nov 10 2007, 11:30 PM

I'm not sure about any of your other questions but yes, the tank will need to be cycled.

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...?article_id=432
Gives brief info on the crayfish.

Oh cheers, that's really usefull. They can live in water of room temperature or cooler. That's great, no need for a heater..so more money to plant the tank!

I have a blue yabbie cray, just be warned if you have fish they will try to catch them, so don't be supprised if you see some with cut fins, and given the chance they will eat or just kill your fish, and shred your plants. I currently have a 40 gallon set up with him in it and fish, they seem to do fine now however I still find the odd fish with a nipped tail. That said they are an amazing creature to watch and have alot of charecter. I was told when I got him that generally if the fish is bigger then him he will leave them alone, but I dont know how true that is. Also make sure there are no openings on top as I have found mine climbing out of the tank before.

Good luck, enjoy and I highly recomend them

P.S I'd love to hear how it goes with your red claw

Hi, I've had a nice pair of redclaws for a few months now.
They are about 5/6 inches long at the moment and should grow to 10/12 inches I think.
I had them in with my fish to start with and they did leave them alone for a short time.
After they had settled in to the tank they would nip a passing fish at feeding time.
As time went on they got a bit more assertive. I never saw them chase a fish,
but I did see one of them get a parrot fish in a head lock when it got a bit too close.

I put them in a 20G cycled tank after that. The female is carrying around 50 babies.
There are some pics in the invertebrates section.
You will need several tanks, (as I do) if you go down this road.
Check out crayfishmates.com for more info.

Good luck, Don