Blue Crayfish

[zesty]

Popped in to my lfs earlier and noticed a blue crayfish in one of the tanks and it looked quite cool. Anyone ever kept them?

 

[Raveston]

I had one a while ago, although I forget what the lfs called it. Beautiful coloration from what I remember. As with any crayfish though, make sure you have covered the entire top, they like to crawl out.

No, seriously, they WILL get out if there is a hole somewhere in the top.

If you've never kept crayfish before, well... just make sure its got a big enough cave to hide in. As far as tankmates go, I kept mine by itself so I wouldn't know if they are good with fish or not.

 

[zesty]

I had one a while ago, although I forget what the lfs called it. Beautiful coloration from what I remember. As with any crayfish though, make sure you have covered the entire top, they like to crawl out.

No, seriously, they WILL get out if there is a hole somewhere in the top.

If you've never kept crayfish before, well... just make sure its got a big enough cave to hide in. As far as tankmates go, I kept mine by itself so I wouldn't know if they are good with fish or not.

Thanks for the info, I was just curious about them as they looked really nice. The one at my lfs was in a tank with a selection of other fish.
I dont have any plans on getting one though, couldnt trust my other half not to eat it lol.

 

[raptorrex]

Popped in to my lfs earlier and noticed a blue crayfish in one of the tanks and it looked quite cool. Anyone ever kept them?

what it is depends, largely, on where you live. if you are from the UK its, probably, an Austrslian Redclaw (Cheraz Quad). incidentally the only, truly, tropical Crayfish).
they need 20ukg each. are, as noted, are escape artists (usually because of bad water or threats). its best to view them as species only, critters.

 

[heartworm]

Ive made a few posts regarding my blue cray here, he does know all the exits to a tank but never really tries to get out, but he has no threats.

Many say they are species only, and I wouldn't keep him with anything slow but he has never gone for any of my fish, as long as he is kept well fed - he takes algae tablets all kind of veg and likes a it of prawn too. His tank mates are mainly barbs.

 

[raptorrex]

Many say they are species only, and I wouldn't keep him with anything slow but he has never gone for any of my fish, as long as he is kept well fed - he takes algae tablets all kind of veg and likes a it of prawn too. His tank mates are mainly barbs.

I dont consider them "species only", its just best to. too many people buy them and just drop them in a tank. i have never lost a fish to a cray, or crab.

 

[heartworm]

Many say they are species only, and I wouldn't keep him with anything slow but he has never gone for any of my fish, as long as he is kept well fed - he takes algae tablets all kind of veg and likes a it of prawn too. His tank mates are mainly barbs.

I dont consider them "species only", its just best to. too many people buy them and just drop them in a tank. i have never lost a fish to a cray, or crab.

I wasn't referring to you sorry, just so many people tell me when I say what's in my tanks that everything will get eaten by the cray. I've heard they can be brutal with each other in aquariums so never tried to keep them together.

 

[raptorrex]

Many say they are species only, and I wouldn't keep him with anything slow but he has never gone for any of my fish, as long as he is kept well fed - he takes algae tablets all kind of veg and likes a it of prawn too. His tank mates are mainly barbs.

I dont consider them "species only", its just best to. too many people buy them and just drop them in a tank. i have never lost a fish to a cray, or crab.

I wasn't referring to you sorry, just so many people tell me when I say what's in my tanks that everything will get eaten by the cray. I've heard they can be brutal with each other in aquariums so never tried to keep them together.

To be fair, I'm not keen on multi cray setups. that is, unless you are breeding. they are fine in brackish 5ppt, so, with the right tank (land and water) cray and crabs get on.
as for with fish? well thats problematic. biggest, initial, problem. is the fact you need both a mature tank and community. as well as a mature cray, to stand any chance of success. how many people with a mature community, would risk it? without doubt, the second biggest problem is. peoples misconception as to what a crayfish is.
they are not armour plated hunter killers (which, to be honest, is why i wanted one in the first place). but placid and inquisitive critters. they eat, for the most part, rotting veg. and have a similar dietary requirement to a common pleco. they are such an interactive critter. it seems wrong to keep them on their own.

 

[Bichir10]

I have a rainbow lobster which I believe is realy just a variation of crayfish, and they are quit interesting. IMO and my experiances alone I would say keep it a species only tank, i made the mistake of putting a divider in his 10 gallon and putting a baby yellow severum on the other side. Somehow the severum got on the otherside and i would have tocontinuosly put him back to his side. I finaly gave up on that and took out the devider, all seemed fine, the lobster never even bothered him till one day he was just gone. Cool creatures though, neat to watch crawl around and scavange and interesting to watch shed(or molt, not sure correct term).