Electric Blue Crayfish Questions

aquarob

aquarob

I give up!
Jan 1, 2006
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Hey all. Had a question about these guys:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=1075+1641&pcatid=1641

I was wondering if I could keep one with Yellow labs and Blue Johanni Cichlids (Malawi, African).

Tank is 55G described in signature. I bought a large sack of black lava rock and piled around the bottom, in addition I added a large resin rock cave so the crayfish would have a place to hide.

My only concern is for my fish. I know that crayfish have a bad rap, but I had spoken with several people that said as long as I didn't have any other bottom feeders that the fish will be ok. Particulary the cichlids because of their larger size? Is this correct advice? Has anyone heard of a small crayfish like this successfully killing an African cichlid?

Thanks for any help!

Edit: Here are links to my fish as well:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+831+891&pcatid=891

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+831+839&pcatid=839
 
I have had Procambarus take down and devour a flier (similar in temperament, build, and habits to your cichlids) that was slightly longer than either of them and good bit more massive. I wouldn't risk it.
 
it could go either way, the cray will most probably try to catch the fish or nipp there tails. the cichlids will almost definatly try to attack the cray mostly when vulnerable when it molts. i would house seperatly.
 
$35 is more than I would pay. You can find them on Aquabid for less. When shopping for one, try to get juveniles, or young adults at least. The younger animals are better suited to adjusting to new environments. Adults tend to suffer more from the stress of shipping and differing water chemistry.

I agree with the others, don't keep it with cichlids, or anything you don't want eaten. Live plants will also be shredded and eaten.

FYI, lobster is a complete misnomer. Lobsters are marine invertebrates. I wish that stores would use proper scientific names, instead of random meaningless names. The crayfish listed is actually a Procambarus alleni.
 
Well, he's on his way. Hopefully they can co-habitat peacefully. I will watch him closely and if he starts attacking my fish I will move him to a 10g by himself. Hopefully it won't come to that though. Wish me luck, I will update this after a couple of weeks. :)
 
Just an idea, what about placing a rubberband around his pinchers like they do with lobsters at the market? As I understand it, they don't use their pinchers to eat with anyway, do they? (Beyond moving the food to their mouths I mean.) Or maybe just one of his claws? Just an idea, so don't jump me about being cruel to my little crayfish or anything. =P

Edit: Hahah, we posted at the same time. So rubberbanding will work?
 
Their large claws are mainly used in digging, mating, and fighting. FYI, a 10g tank will not hold a large crawdad for long. If you're getting a juvenile that's only in inch or two, it will be OK for a while. But make sure that you have a full hood, with weight on it so that it can't escape.

A full grown P. alleni will not fit in a 10g tank. I would use something around 50g, for one adult.
 
pixl8r said:
Their large claws are mainly used in digging, mating, and fighting. FYI, a 10g tank will not hold a large crawdad for long. If you're getting a juvenile that's only in inch or two, it will be OK for a while. But make sure that you have a full hood, with weight on it so that it can't escape.

A full grown P. alleni will not fit in a 10g tank. I would use something around 50g, for one adult.
Click to expand...

That's what I had thought. Well, problem solved then. Once his claws get large enough to attack my fish I will just rubber band them and keep an eye on him when he gets ready to molt, I will take them off. I also read somewhere that you can blunt the claws using nail trimmers to trim the tips or shorten them somehow. I'll read up on it if the rubberband thing doesn't work out.
 
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