55 Gallon 10 mixed African Cichlids and one upside down cat Question is are Crayfish compatiable with them...
compatiablity
- Thread starter Mr Demasoni
- Start date
No? Wow, does anyone commenting actually have any experience with this?
Both North American and the Indo/Aussie crayfish are great tankmates for Africans, especially with Mbuna. The cichlids can't hurt the crays, and are too fast and alert to end up as lunch. The large amount of food going into most African tanks means the crays get lots to eat and, since they are opportunistic feeders, don't even try eting the cichlids. The large amount of rock work gives the crays ample places to hide when they are shedding too. I've even had the crayfish breed in African tanks.
We keep our crayfish at the store entirely in the cichlid section, it's the only area where they don't eat the fish. I've personally done it at home too.
Both North American and the Indo/Aussie crayfish are great tankmates for Africans, especially with Mbuna. The cichlids can't hurt the crays, and are too fast and alert to end up as lunch. The large amount of food going into most African tanks means the crays get lots to eat and, since they are opportunistic feeders, don't even try eting the cichlids. The large amount of rock work gives the crays ample places to hide when they are shedding too. I've even had the crayfish breed in African tanks.
We keep our crayfish at the store entirely in the cichlid section, it's the only area where they don't eat the fish. I've personally done it at home too.
I've seen crayfish get killed when there are breeding cichlids around, so I personally would not.
I've seen cichlids get killed when there are breeding cichlids around too...doesn't mean they can't be compatible tankmates.
I've seen crays killed by big SA and CA cichlids, but never by Africans. You'd have to have a tiny tank with no hiding places for a cray to get killed by Africans. Their exoskeleton is very tough and they can regenerate any lost limbs or antenna.
what about when the cichlids are resting during the night is it possable for the crayfish to catch one that was my scare,,, every night id pop out of bed to check on them
I've never had a problem, especially if the crays are fed. LIke I said, we keep dozens in various tanks at work with no issues.