snails or crabs/crayfish

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H

Headrush

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2007
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Upstate New York
I have a 90 with a JD, GT, and a FM, along with 2 Pleco's. As you are all aware i'm sure, the pleco's are poop machines, and I was wondering if I could get a couple of crabs or crayfish to clean up the bottom etc. in their place. Algae is another issue, not a problem at all with the plecs cleaning up but not sure what other options i have in that arena. Species recommendations anyone???

Any opinions you have are welcome. Thx to all!!

:D
 
Snails are awesome for controlling algae, but make sure you have a snail-eating fish ready for the community when those things undergo a population explosion.

Regarding crayfish and crabs, all I can say -- make sure they are not too small to be picked on or eaten, nor too big or they will start bullying smaller fish.
 
I wouldn't do a crayfish, as when they get big, they can take down very formidable fish. Columbian Ramshorns, apple snails, and mystery snails would all be good choices, and many LFS will buy them from you readily.
 
AquataHolic420;736336; said:
snails would be a good idea. hope you can keep them under control!:WHOA:
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Yeah that was a concern, but I have a YOYO loach in there right now and I think he's great!! he cleans all the hard to reach places but wouldn't he have a feast if i bought an apple snail? Or is it the little one's that he'll take care of? Would consider getting a pair if possible...can you sex them? If I get 2 of the same sex they won't multipy right?
 
WyldFya;736334; said:
I wouldn't do a crayfish, as when they get big, they can take down very formidable fish. Columbian Ramshorns, apple snails, and mystery snails would all be good choices, and many LFS will buy them from you readily.
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That depend on the crayfish species. Some stay small, others don't stop growing.
 
Yeah, the fish should fine during the day. At night, that is another matter. I don't know how people successfully manage crayfish in a community tank without a masscre at nighttime.
 
All the crayfish I have kept in recent times have been involved in a massacre... however, most of that was because they were going into a fahaka puffer's tank.
 
TheBloodyIrish;737114; said:
Yeah, the fish should fine during the day. At night, that is another matter. I don't know how people successfully manage crayfish in a community tank without a masscre at nighttime.
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So even 6-8" fish are at risk? Seems like a lot to handle for a crayfish. Figured they'd grab the loach first if anything.

What about other crabs that don't get very big? won't they scavenge on the bottom? Figured they'd grab a fish as the "last resort" with the smorgasborg in the substrate...then again you're the experts

Teach me :D
 
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