Marble crayfish is pregnant and I have some ?'s

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Camphilophus

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 11, 2008
5,202
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Howell, Michigan
First crayfish I've ever owned. She's been acting funny for a few days. Usually shes all over the place but she's been hanging out in her pot for the most part. Sitting with her tail tucked underneath herself. Shes about 3" and lives in a 2.5gallon by herself with a small heater and sponge filter. I feed her mostly algae wafers, shrimp pellets, sinking cichlid food, and occasionally krill and zucchini.

Now for the questions..
How long does it take them to come off of her?
How many can I expect?
What do I feed them? How fast do they grow?
Should I separate them from mom?
Whats the best way to raise up a bunch of crayfish without them killing one another?
 
Camphilophus;2345115; said:
First crayfish I've ever owned. She's been acting funny for a few days. Usually shes all over the place but she's been hanging out in her pot for the most part. Sitting with her tail tucked underneath herself. Shes about 3" and lives in a 2.5gallon by herself with a small heater and sponge filter. I feed her mostly algae wafers, shrimp pellets, sinking cichlid food, and occasionally krill and zucchini.

Now for the questions..
How long does it take them to come off of her?
How many can I expect?
What do I feed them? How fast do they grow?
Should I separate them from mom?
Whats the best way to raise up a bunch of crayfish without them killing one another?
Click to expand...



First thing I'd like to say is the tank is too small. I'd suggest a 10 gal minimum.


1. I dont know how long, maybe 2 weeks?
2. A few hundred I think. As more spawning goes on the amount will grow higher.

3. No idea how fast they grow, but you can feed them pretty much what you feed the mom, just make sure its small enough and soft enough for them to eat.

4. You wouldnt have to seperate if the tank was bigger, but seperating from mom and even the babies themselves will insure survival. Because without any hiding spots or enough areas to hide, they are vulnerable to be eaten by mom and eachother too.


5. Have a bigger tank and build little caves, or have PVC piping and things like that. If they got hiding spots or areas of protection it raises their chance of surviving.
 
thanks for the info^^

I was never sure on tank size for her and the 2.5gallon seemed good for a single fish. I will throw her in a 30gallon with pool filter sand and lots of PVC for her babies, then I will move her to a 10g. Hopefully I will be able to sell these to the pet store. They will make great feeders for my other fish.
 
No dont sell to the pet store. If people start buying them and they are careless, these can reach local waters. These crays are capable of destroying an ecosystem with the way they breed. They would become an out of control problem.


When buying marble crays you have to be very responsible and have a way of disposing them properly, like feeding them to your fish.


I am pretty sure in time these particular crays will be illegal because they will get in the wrong hands and they will end up getting loose in the wild.
 
Pyramid_Party;2345168; said:
No dont sell to the pet store. If people start buying them and they are careless, these can reach local waters. These crays are capable of destroying an ecosystem with the way they breed. They would become an out of control problem.


When buying marble crays you have to be very responsible and have a way of disposing them properly, like feeding them to your fish.


I am pretty sure in time these particular crays will be illegal because they will get in the wrong hands and they will end up getting loose in the wild.
Click to expand...

2nd that.:headbang2
 
Camphilophus;2345115; said:
First crayfish I've ever owned. She's been acting funny for a few days. Usually shes all over the place but she's been hanging out in her pot for the most part. Sitting with her tail tucked underneath herself. Shes about 3" and lives in a 2.5gallon by herself with a small heater and sponge filter. I feed her mostly algae wafers, shrimp pellets, sinking cichlid food, and occasionally krill and zucchini.

Now for the questions..
How long does it take them to come off of her?
How many can I expect?
What do I feed them? How fast do they grow?
Should I separate them from mom?
Whats the best way to raise up a bunch of crayfish without them killing one another?
Click to expand...



I would keep a good eye on your crayfish because their brooding period is between 22 and 42 days but they will stay with their mom until she feels they are ready to leave. I would also get a bigger tank for the reason being that they will have 400-1000 clones at one time ( I have mine in a 40 gal)! I have read that they do better in a tank with some small community fish as well (I just have a few small tetras). It is not necessary for you to separate the mom from the babies. Given that there is enough space and hiding places for everyone, there is very little cannibalism in the tank between mom and the babies (PVC pipe creates a lot of real estate in the tank to prevent territorial and food disputes). I think you are providing a well balanced diet for your cray and they do grow very fast given the fact that they live to be about 3 years old (and will clone several times per year). If there is anything you need just let me know or I found that www.marbledcrayfish.com is pretty helpful.

Hope it helps and good luck!
Mervin_Pulse
 
if you deside to sell some ill buy a few! :)


Edit* the guy above me came right out of nowhere lol^^ welcome to MFK
 
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