My blue crayfish is losing his color and his front claws look like they are turning a rust color and there are cracks on his claws. I thought he was starting to molt, but he is now out of his hiding space and being active in the tank again. All of my other fish appear to be healthy and they tend to leave the crayfish alone. I am looking for some suggestions on what to do for him.
Crustatians frequently eat their shed shell to recycle the minerals. While in hiding, your crayfish may have molted and then began the recycling process. If you check his hidey-holes, you may see parts of his old shell.
The change in color and cracks in his claws are signs of molting. Keep an eye on him to see if his claws peel. I think he will be fine.
We have several blue crays and electric blues and I've come to learn that they are a LOT tougher than most people give them credit for. We reciently had to transfur two of them to another tank because they ate three of my wifes prized Pbass babies the first night they were in the tank...
Is he eating?? That is a main thing to look for, if he is a stage of molt obviously he will not eat but should start again soon. My blue has gone thru many claw transformations after molting. 2 she has come out of molt with NO claws at all and did fine. She recenlty came out of mole with what looked like deformed claws but still did good. With her last molt she came back 100%. Her personality never changed. I have her in a community tank and she does not bother any other fish. But she does seem to like to tease the pictus cat and take over his hiding place for a while and keep him out.
Im not sure how long youve had it.. but ive heard stories about sellers dieng normal crayfish to a blue color, only for them to lose their color and get sick later...
