Thinking of getting a Blue Crayfish

[Sidrock]

Hello guys,

I am considering getting a couple of crayfish: one red and one blue.

I am not new to keeping fish, but this is going to be my first venture into invertebrates. (I have Apple Snails which I got as a clean-up crew for my bichir grow out. I don't think they actually helped at all.)

I am trying to do the research into the requirements for a couple of crayfish.

First question: Are all blue cray fish of the genus "Cherax"?

Second question: What is the probability that the blue and red crayfish are morphs of the same species?

Third question: What are the most common species of crayfish available in markets? (I am from Bombay/Mumbai, India. It's very unlikely that the crayfish I have seen in the stores is any rare species. So, the crayfish are going to be the most common species available.)

I will try to get pictures, next time I am at the store. Hopefully, you guys can help me with a positive ID.

Thanks,

Sid

PS: As the crayfish are about 2 inches, I was about keeping them in a 1ft tank for starters and move them to my 20 gal when they hit about 4 inches. (All my 6 tanks are cycled and established, so they can be put in any tank which is appropriate for them)

 

[torval]

1.) no, there are many blue types. in almost every genus, procambarus alleni, cherax destructor/albidus, procambarus clarkii, cambarellus schufeldti, and more.

2.) quite high

3.) procamabarus clarkii and procambarus alleni are the most common blue crayfish. both these species come in red, white, and blue also.

4.) crayfish like to hurt each other while they are soft after a molt. house multiple crayfish at your own peril. they WILL eat and / or tear up any plants they can reach. a 10 gallon can house 1 clarkii or alleni. bigger is better but a 10 will do.

any more questions just ask.

 

[Sidrock]

1.) no, there are many blue types. in almost every genus, procambarus alleni, cherax destructor/albidus, procambarus clarkii, cambarellus schufeldti, and more.

2.) quite high

3.) procamabarus clarkii and procambarus alleni are the most common blue crayfish. both these species come in red, white, and blue also.

4.) crayfish like to hurt each other while they are soft after a molt. house multiple crayfish at your own peril. they WILL eat and / or tear up any plants they can reach. a 10 gallon can house 1 clarkii or alleni. bigger is better but a 10 will do.

any more questions just ask.

Thanks Troval.

I will get a picture to post here to confirm if the crayfish at the store is indeed a procambarus sp.

I will only get one blue one due to the very high likelihood of con-specific aggression.

None of my tanks have real plants and I don't think I will venture in that area in the near future. So, no issues here.

Thanks again,

Sid