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KIM_TMA

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Apr 2, 2008
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Arkansas
I am interested in getting a marbled cray / self cloning one. I would like to get some advice from owners of this specific breed that has raised them in an aquarium or any cray owner. For example I know that bullit owns crays but the marbled is prohibited in the UK.
This is what I have setup for her arrival.

10 gl tank with marine sand for her digging pleasure with a huge whale eye shell for her home, plenty of silk plants for her to climb and hang on also got a 3" around air disk for her to have plenty of air. There is a few ghost shrimp in this tank right now and a couple of giant ramshorn snails. Also can't forget I have got marimo moss balls and some java moss for her to pick through every now and again. Got a hob filter too. So does it sound like she will have all she needs or am I missing something.
I have been preparing for this cray for over months ago, I am just worried, I have never kept a cray before and I want her to have a great home. Any advice, comments, concerns or just plain old anything welcome.
 

black_sun

I'm a crayfish in disguise...
Jun 26, 2008
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New Jersey
First off, be prepared for a large amount of offspring several times through-out the year. Since these crays don't require mates you can't really control the population by removing a potential mate like you could with other species.

Anyway, be careful with sand because of the gas pocket issues. But aside from that it sounds like you have a good set-up started for the cray. You may need to tweak things here and there (like adding addtional hiding spots) but you've got a good start going.

Here's a good site for information and care of this species (they're fairly easy, I've had them before): http://www.marbledcrayfish.com/

And here's two good sites for crayfish information, care, etc in general:
http://www.crayfishmates.com/
http://www.bluecrayfish.com/forum/http://www.crayfishmates.com/
 

thebullit

smile it confuses people
Apr 29, 2007
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sounds like a good start mate. i would also put more hiding places than crays. if you dont mind some of the plants getting shredded leave them in as surface cover.
 

KIM_TMA

AC Members
Apr 2, 2008
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Arkansas
sounds like a good start mate. i would also put more hiding places than crays. if you dont mind some of the plants getting shredded leave them in as surface cover.
Thanks Bullit.
I do plan to put more shells in there for more hiding places. Expecially that when I get her she will be a baby and the shell that I have is for an adult. I have bought all silk plants for the simple fact that I new she would shred live ones, who knows the silk might get it too. O well. They are her's she can do as she pleases. And the top cover thing I think I have under control, I bought some long plants that will hang over the top of the water. So she will feel secure.

I plan for her to attempt the baby thing and if we are successful I will sell the babes, if not then o well. As much stuff that I have found about them being great mommy's and that they don't eat their babys, I am sure that we will have offspring.
 

thebullit

smile it confuses people
Apr 29, 2007
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if you put both sexes together they will more than likely mate. my have 3 times this year , well the 3rd will be hatched within the next 2 weeks.
 

KIM_TMA

AC Members
Apr 2, 2008
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Arkansas
if you put both sexes together they will more than likely mate. my have 3 times this year , well the 3rd will be hatched within the next 2 weeks.
Bullit I think that you are thinking of the other marbled ones. This specie is only female, they genetically clone themselves. It states somewhere on the web (I forgot the page) that they are pretty much banned from the UK b/c they can start offspringing at 25-35 weeks of age. And they would out compete native species in the UK. Like I said I have tried to do my homework on them. LOL.
 
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