African Cichlids (& Friends)

I like it!! Very nice, I miss my african tank they are great fish...may have to start another before long!
 
Mbuna Cichlids love to eat crayfish--given a chance

After reading the recommendation about removing the crayfish , I remembered what happened to me a few years ago when I had one in my 130 gallon tank. Because they go through a molting process as they grow--- and to do this they burrow under the substrate or into a cave and pull subtrate to cover the opening while this takes place, they are then very vulnerable until the new exoskeleton hardens.

One morning I woke up and had to do a double-take as I walked by my tank. I had a pretty large electric yellow hap that was swimming around with a large blue claw hanging out of his mouth -- almost seemed like he was "parading" around the tank with pride that he had this prize.

Sure enough -- as I looked around the floor of the tank, around rocks, etc. I saw other evidence of the carnage. They had evidently ganged-up on the crayfish during the night after un-covering his hiding place, and then literally ripped him to shreds in his un-protected state.

wouldn't want to see you have the same experience. Move the crayfish to another tank with less a less agressive species present.
 
Every thing I have read about the Electric Blue Crayfish has said they co-inhibit fine with Cichlids, they wont be the aggresor but they will defend themselves if needed. Just what I've read. :) I was thinking about getting one For my 75 gal when I set it up so I did some research on them.
 
the general information available would indicate it is hit and miss with Africans as tankmates and the crayfish is extremely vulnerable when moulting - if they find him before he hardens up, and they are large enough, they are most likely to shred him. A big tank with lots and lots of hiding places is his best shot.
 
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