I.D. Possible Dwarf Mexican Crayfish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
black_sun;5101899; said:
4" (from rostrum to tail/excluding claws) is common, but you can see them larger than that. I've had several get to about 6", and they get fairly bulky as they get older.

Generally, they thrive in warmer waters but there are invasive, stable, populations farther North than me so your water isn't really an issue. Though, personally I'd raise it up into the 70s but it's not necessary. The jacks and the cat are likely to eat it at some point (probably when it molts) or vice versa when it gets larger. This species is pretty aggressive and actively hunts and your jacks and cat both like to eat crayfish. But with enough hiding spaces/rockwork/etc that may work out alright.

If you want to sex it, the most definitive way it to take it out and look at/for the gonopods... you can use this for reference: http://www.crayfishworld.com/sexy.htm
You'll be using the 2nd and 3rd photo sets for the kind you have.
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Okay thank you for that link. I think its a male, but I will have to take it out to find out for sure. Also look at the 2nd pic that I posted. I have tried to make a cave where the other fish cannot get to him. Any suggestions on that? I will keep a eye on him when he molts to be safe.
 
RiverMonsterFisher;5101920; said:
Okay thank you for that link. I think its a male, but I will have to take it out to find out for sure. Also look at the 2nd pic that I posted. I have tried to make a cave where the other fish cannot get to him. Any suggestions on that? I will keep a eye on him when he molts to be safe.
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It's not aesthetically pleasing but I PVC pipe can work great because the crayfish can squeeze in and shift it's claws/legs around to fit into it where as the fish are a little more limited in that ability. It also gives the crayfish a place to be where it can back down into, defend itself without worrying about something coming around from another side at it. You can angle them down underneath existing decor/rock work/gravel/etc so that they are more obscured and don't visually detract from the tank as much.


RiverMonsterFisher;5101984; said:
What is the life expectancy for these?
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3-5 years

RiverMonsterFisher;5102036; said:
How often do they molt?
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The younger and small the cray, the more frequently it will molt. As they get older and larger this slows down to the point at which they may only molt once a year or so. Temperature and condition of the water can increase/decrease the frequency of molting (warmer = more frequent molts, cooler = less frequent molts, poor water quality = less frequent molts, sudden water changes = frequent molts).
 
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