Blue Cray

[Pellet113]

a friend has given me a 12 gallon tank witha a 8" blue cray. Can it work what will i need. The tank has gravel a cave and a filterer and air pump. Will it be fine. Ive read that they live in cold water sometimes. It also it dosn't really have a lid, dust saran wrap taped on...... I've looked and can't find a corresponding hood.

 

[Questions?]

sorry i can't help you much, but what i do know, first and foremost is, that tank is overstocked, try upgrading to at least maybe a 20gal? more experienced people could help you out, try posting a topic in the invertebrate section about this

 

[Questions?]

he might be fine in a 12, but he probaly would not be able to move around alot

 

[Pellet113]

HE lived through the night, but he is very timid of people and won't come out of his cave. I feed him brine shrimp and i think he likes me now...... he seams happy enough so he'll stay, and i found a lid. Thank you!!

 

[Tuxyu3]

A 12 gallon tank is nowhere near big enough for an 8" anything, never mind a crayfish.

 

[Pellet113]

Haha.......... meant 8 cm. and how big will he get???

 

[Questions?]

oh eight cm, yeah that is fine, but with the right care he will grow to anything from 2 inches to 8 inches

 

[Tuxyu3]

Phew . But yeah, would still look at upgrading to maybe a 20 gallon long if you plan on keeping him.

 

[Questions?]

Phew . But yeah, would still look at upgrading to maybe a 20 gallon long if you plan on keeping him.

+1

 

[raptorrex]

a friend has given me a 12 gallon tank witha a 8" blue cray. Can it work what will i need. The tank has gravel a cave and a filterer and air pump. Will it be fine. Ive read that they live in cold water sometimes. It also it dosn't really have a lid, dust saran wrap taped on...... I've looked and can't find a corresponding hood.

sounds like you've got a "traditionally" kept Cray, there.

I'm assuming its a P. Alani, possibly P. Clarkii.
So, 12 gallons is fine! (even for a 8 inch adult!!!!!!!!!!!!)

as you surmise, they really need no heater.
but if that's how its been kept, just carry on there.

usually you would insist on a lid for cray.( Colditz would have been empty most of WW2, if soldiers were crayfish. lol)
so you need to get something. (cant help on what, as i dont know what tank you have.)

you may need to change the tank, just because of the lid, but there is no reason to just because of size.

"traditionally" speaking, you top off any water that's evaporated, but do no water changes.
just a once or twice a year total change.

but for me, 25% a week works fine.

they like clean water (biologically speaking) with a high O2 content.
so make sure the filter output is disturbing the surface.

the air stone is more for the cray to play with. and adds little, in the way of O2, to the tank.

it'll grow to, either 4-5 inches P. Alani, or 6-8 for P. Clarkii.
life span is, roughly, 4-8 years.

it needs a general Omnivores diet.
so fish flake, algae wafers, catfish pellets, over rip veg and just a few treats like, roast chicken breast, snails and earth worms.

oh yeah, make sure you keep the cave big enough for the cray to fit in.
as they moult they get bigger.
if it has nowhere to hide. it will go down quick.

if i can be any more help, PM me. or post here.

 

[Pellet113]

Thank you raportex. The info. is very helpful.

 

[raptorrex]

Thank you raportex. The info. is very helpful.

any chance of a picture?

if its good there is a good chance i will id the cray.
its just possible there is more relevant info i could offer.

in the absence of a pic, can you describe its colouration?
things like its general colour and any flecks and highlights, it has.

also the shape and, surface, texture of its claws.

 

[Pellet113]

My computers old and i can't download pics. He is mostly blue and has purple along the lines in his shell. I am worried though, he will not eat shrimp pellets, or fresh fish bits, i am going to Petco today to buy some feeder fish.He is growing fast even without food. Whats causing him not to eat??? he is active crawling around and trying to escape( i got a lid at Walmart). Also, whenever i walk in he hides, my friend said he used t o be very friendly, do you think the stress from the move caused him not to trust us?Thank you!

 

[Pellet113]

bump

 

[Questions?]

he is probaly eating the fish bits, etc but storing them somewhere, maybe under the substrate