Cherax Destructors pairs

[ApacheDan]

I recently acquired 2 young pairs of these crayfish and I'm wondering if I can keep all 4 in one 35 gal square custom tank (22"x20"x16") or will they kill each other. They are now around 3.5" in length, but can grow to about 6-8". When they become of breeding age(?) will I need to separate the 4 or sufficient cover/hiding places will do the trick? thanks. Dan

 

[black_sun]

PM Yabbadoo, he's the Aussie species expert here (also, you should check out crayfishmates.com, the owner there is ultimate source on Aussie species).

But from general knowledge, your males are going probably hit the 8" mark, with your females being a bit smaller. And this species is rather aggressive, so so multiples in a small/medium sized tank probably aren't going to work out in the long run. It's going to be kind of cramped for them, I would think. It's not going to be a lot of floor space for them to develop their own territories... May not be an issue (having never kept this species personally, they might be able to group), but like I said you should definitely PM Yabbadoo. But from the species I keep, with crays of similar size, that space is too small for more than a single sexed pair... my males go at each other if they aren't in larger tanks (50gal+).

Beautiful crays, btw. Lovely coloration! ^_^ Let me know how it works out, I've been debating on whether to get a pair of them myself (though, I want the white morph lol), for a while now.

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

go get them. u know u want to

 

[that one guy]

go get them. u know u want to

thats what she said