found blue crawley in tank ?

[Wiggler 1]

Hi folks ... Bought some new live plants for my tank and sbout a week later
found this 1/2 inch blue crawler in it I gather it came out of new plants.
Cute little one, very active in tank digging out gravel making caves to go in
does not chase fish, I think he likes it here and he even is comming to side of tank to say hi LOL. But I dont know what it is or what it eats (hopefully not my fish) I did watch
him eat some blood worms I had put in for my Betta and Knifefish...
If someone could help on identification and any other info that would be great......

 

[Wiggler 1]

Heres a close up

 

[Redbled]

I believe you have a Procambarus Alleni, otherwise known as an electric blue crayfish. I have pictures of them on my site, that may help you. There are not a lot of blue species, so that would be my best guess. There is an area on the different things you can feed them there as well as other general care. Make sure you have lots of places for the little guy to hide.

 

[Snailguy101]

It's a eletric blue crayfish cool you found that? i'd get it out it may eat your other fish...wait..it WILL eat your other fish

 

[Wiggler 1]

Thanks for the replies. Snailguy I will keep a eye on him so when he gets big enough to catch fish I will put him into a new tank... Redbled thanks for the link to your site and my little guy does look very close to that Electric blue...I do have lots (no tons)
of hiding spaces for him rock caves wood that has tunnels in it, I think he is happy as he
is constantly going into wood and coming out in a different part of tank...At this point of time I dont beleive I have to worry about fish missing, but he has grown to about 1 inch in 4 weeks IF and When should I have to worry about setting up another tank for him...
Thank you again I will use my lack of skills searching the net for more about these guys

 

[Redbled]

It's a eletric blue crayfish cool you found that? i'd get it out it may eat your other fish...wait..it WILL eat your other fish

Its true that there are times when blue crayfish eat other fish, but the times I've seen are rare. Usually when people think they have eaten their fish, their fish has already died from something else, and then the crayfish decided to have a meal. You'll find very few people who have actually seen a crayfish catch a fish that wasn't already dead or dying, though I'm sure it can and does happen.

 

[JoLtNbolt]

where did you buy the plants? mail order?

 

[@ombomb]

You'll find very few people who have actually seen a crayfish catch a fish that wasn't already dead or dying, though I'm sure it can and does happen.

A friend of mine had one in his tank, that as soon as the lights went out, would stand on the tallest piece of bogwood and nip and any fish that game within reach. He didn't always catch them, but certainly left most of them with nipped fins.

Make sure your tank is completely sealed. My friend's went missing and was eventually found stuck behind his radiator.