Crayfish? Crab?

[sparrow6190]

I have a 55 gallon tank and was wanting to put some type of crab or crayfish in it, possibly something else out of the ordinary?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

what else is in the 55g?

 

[sparrow6190]

One 7" oscar will be put in, the tank is currently cycling.

 

[jayjay]

55g is not big enough for an oscar, 75g minimum for one oscar no tankmates.

Also the oscar may find the crabs very tasty when shedding etc.

 

[moray]

I don't know of any crayfish or crab that would be safe with an oscar, I think you might have to rethink, sorry.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I agree, crayfish and lobsters are predatory or terotorial/agressive in general, this site may still be able to help you out though if you are still keen on getting a critter like that though;

http/www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk/Sh...n.htm~mainFrame

That are quite a few small critters that will be fine in a 5-10gal tank .

 

[jacqui deller]

Hi, just bought a crayfish. There is a variety of other fish in my tank - mollies, tetras, guppies, sharks and plecos. I am not sure whether the crayfish is just curious or whether he may go for any of the other fish. I do not know what type of crayfish it is easier. Would someone be able to give me some advice. Also do we need a licence to have crayfish?

Thanks. - Jacqui

I agree, crayfish and lobsters are predatory or terotorial/agressive in general, this site may still be able to help you out though if you are still keen on getting a critter like that though;

http/www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk/Sh...n.htm~mainFrame

That are quite a few small critters that will be fine in a 5-10gal tank .
[/quote]

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hi, just bought a crayfish. There is a variety of other fish in my tank - mollies, tetras, guppies, sharks and plecos. I am not sure whether the crayfish is just curious or whether he may go for any of the other fish. I do not know what type of crayfish it is easier. Would someone be able to give me some advice. Also do we need a licence to have crayfish?

Thanks. - Jacqui

Crayfish and lobsters are predatory critters and the majority will kill fish and eat them, its really only a matter of time until something happens- predatory shrimp are destinguished by their long arms (and claws) rather than the tiny claws you get on algae/scavenging shrimps or fans on filter shrimp.
Did you not happen to catch the name of the crayfish at the store you got it from at all or kept a receipt?
I believe you don't need to have a license as long as the critter is not endangered or illegally caught or an illegal species for your country or area where you live- it is very illegal for petshop or fish stores to sell any critters like lobsters or crayfish if they do not have a license to sell them.

 

[nmonks]

If you have the tank sitting empty, why not fill it with fiddler crabs. They are very entertaining, and peaceful enough you could easily keep some mollies for something colourful in the water end of the tank. Fiddler males display to one another with their claws, and are generally rather jolly.

Adding mudskippers is an option, though not without problems, so you'd need to read up on that combination before attempting it.

Cheers,

Neale

Depends on the species. Many are indeed banned. The only one routinely and legally sold is Cherax quadricarinatus, which you can see here. The law is a bit of a scattergun approach, to be honest, but the intention is to stop the (probably inevitable) extinction of our native crayfish. A fungal infection came across with crayfish from America used as food. These crayfish, known as signal crayfish, are not only very hardy, but carry the fungal infection without getting particularly sick. Our native crayfish has no resistance, and dies.

You will find a detailed explanation of the law, and what crayfish are banned, here:

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...?article_id=106

Forget about applying for a license. They don't give them out to aquarists.

Cheers,

Neale

Also do we need a licence to have crayfish?

 

[sammy86]

crayfish if properly fed wont tend to bother your fish, they may snap at them, but if you have fast fish they should be ok - but accidents happen!

i personally wouldnt keep a crayfish in my community tank