Dwarf Crayfish

[theotheragentm]

I love these little guys. I picked up a bunch of them for my 10-gallon tank, which is now without fish. I think everyone should get these little guys.

 

[rich311k]

Very cute.

 

[theotheragentm]

Oh yeah. Dwarf means full grown at approximately 1-1/2" in case anyone was wondering.

 

[majolo]

Very nice! How many can you keep in a 10? Do they quarrel with each other?

 

[theotheragentm]

People will try to say they won't quarrel and their nature is less intense than your standard crayfish, but from what I have seen, I do not agree. They will fight with each other when they cross each other's paths. I have put more rocks to block line of sight. They burrow down a bit around the rocks. I also tried to make the Java Moss less dense and more like a jungle gym for them to climb in and stake out territories.

I would say the problem is there is not enough floor space. What I am going to do is to create a second story using the cross-stitch needlework plastic meshes and weaving in Java Moss. To begin with it will give a second platform. Eventually, it will be a moss coated ledge.

In a 10-gallon, if you have the second story set up, I would say keeping a couple dozen shouldn't be a problem, but these guys will mate pretty easily from what I've read. Then it's off to Aquabid to make some money I guess.

 

[plecoperson]

I love them too. I got three, lost one, leaving a male and a female. I now have maybe six, and the female is full of eggs again.

I have 'em in a tank with some small fish, who definitely snack on the babies. I understand they have a hundred or more at a time, so the fish are obviously snacking frequently. It's nice-I don't want an actual crayfish farm, but a few more is nice!

Behaviorwise, they leave fish, shrimp and snails alone, but do fight if they meet up with one another.

 

[BillD]

Crayfish make surprisingly interesting pets. I had a pair of Red Clawed Cherax, but lost the male on his last molt (I was away). Of course, the Red Claws aren't dwarfs (grow to 10") they are very colourful. My male was over 6" and almost totally blue.

 

[majolo]

Those are very cool. I like the range of coloration too.

 

[fish 'n' fries]

Not to steal the thread, but what fish do you keep them with? I suspect my angel would consider them a nice snack.

I looked at them at the LFS and they are awfully cute...might be an excuse to set up the 10 gallon in the basement...

 

[theotheragentm]

I would go with smaller fish, maybe Harlequinn Rasboras. Then you could have something to occupy the top layer while the crayfish occupy the bottom.