Crayfish ?s

[suepahfly]

I have recently purchased a small crayfish (about 1.5-2") and have a few questions. I set up a nightlight on the tank so I can watch him at night. Last night it seemed he was trying to climb up the side of the tank to escape. It was quite amusing to watch because he kept flipping over and then trying again. Is this normal behavior for a crayfish?

Also, he doesn't seem to be eating a whole lot. The only thing I know he has eaten is part of an algee wafer. I have tried feeding him sinking shrimp pellets and also small pieces of shrimp. Of course, since he's nocturnal, he may be eating some and I just don't notice it. How often do crayfish eat and what all should I include in his diet?

Also, where can I find out what type of crayfish I have? His body is gray except for the tips of his claws, which are orange, or maybe red. By the way, I don't know the sex of the crayfish, I'm just referring to it as he.

Thanks for all the help in advance.
Lucas

[Jess.in.WI]

hi! my cray is pretty active during the day, that is, once food hits the tank! She comes runnin' and climbs all over everything trying to get her share.
I think you're doing well with the food; I also offer my cray algae wafers, shrimp pellets, and frozen freshwater mysis as well as frozen blood worms. That's a coveted treat for everyone in the tank.
How new is he? It takes them a little bit to check things out, find a good hidey hole and settle in.
pic? you can see mine in my post a few down...

[suepahfly]

I just got him 3 days ago. I put a cup in the tank that he has claimed as his "cave." He never comes out of the cave. The first time I have seen him out of it since the day I got him was last night. He's alone in a 5 gallon for the moment. I was thinking about getting 1 or 2 guppys in there for company, or food depending on what he thinks. I have a pic of him in his cave, but I haven't uploaded it yet. I'll probably do it later today.

[suepahfly]

Oh yeah, I've seen your pics. You have a very nice cray. I love the coloring.

[me_wee_todded]

try giving it carrot or small pieces of bacon

[suepahfly]

Ok, I uploaded the pics, this is the best one I have of him.

Do you think he would be better in my 29g tank? I originally bought him to go in there, but my mom bought a common pleco to go in there. I was kinda mad because she didn't know that plecos can get to around 2 feet, but I told her that she will have to find a larger tank for it. The other fish in the tank are 3 goldfish, each about 2" long. The pleco is about the same size. I don't want any of the fish getting chopped in two, but would it be alright?

82112

[suepahfly]

try giving it carrot or small pieces of bacon

Thanks, I'll try that. I need to get some bacon for myself anyways. :headbang2Bacon

[Jess.in.WI]

carrot? I guess so! I gave her a shaving and she jumped for it!

[suepahfly]

Well, my cray seems to be doing a lot better now. He's been out of his cave the past 2 nights and I've watched him crawl around. He seems to be eating more too.

Can anyone tell me what kind of cray he is though? I'd appreciate it.

Thanks, Lucas

[brigri]

Be careful how you choose its tankmates. Mine killed 2 bichirs in 2 days. Best left alone or with much bigger fish

[that one guy]

it dosent go well with many bottom dwellers, but if you have fish that just swim around pretty high in the water you should be fine. i also noticed they would seem to be less agressive with white sand/ and or substrate.

i wouldnt feed him human food like bacon because they can contain harmfull chems, and they might also pollute your tank .

hope that was helpful.

[Fish tamer returns]

wow how did you find that white sand brings down there temper

[Majinn]

try green peas..

[brucie]

crayfish are great escape artist, they will always try to find a way out of the tank so its best if you have the tank covered... i've lost some that escaped, some i found and put back in the tank but others went missing and never found lol

[gar man]

what you have is a virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis). its native to the USA and can live in all water temps. i used to have one in my tank untill she crawled out in the middle of the night with all her babies on her tail and i still havnt found her...that was 4 months ago :(... she used to love eating live nightcrawlers and worms.