Crayfish Water Temperature

[spypet]

I have two 30gal tanks, one I keep at 72°F(cool) another at 78°F(warm).

I know from experience that temperature has a major impact
on invert activity level, molting success, and breeding.

I'm getting 2 types of crayfish, CPO from Mexico, and another
type of dwarf that is native to the Central Mississippi Delta.

my plan is to put the CPO in the warm tank
and the Mississippi crayfish in the cool tank.

I could make both tanks 72°F(cool) but would rather not have to.

what say you :nilly:

for the sake of this discussion, the scape and fish and other issues
with each tank are irrelevant - let's focus strictly on temperature.

 

[Fractalis]

Crayfish are some of the toughest critters out there; they can withstand most tropical temperatures (just make sure you dont cook them)

 

[spypet]

I'm aware crayfish are a lot tougher than shrimp, however I'm reading many anecdotes of berried dwarf crayfish but no crayfish fry seen later in the tank, so beyond the obvious issues of predation, I am concerned that temperature may still play a roll during this crucial juncture.

 

[jawasnack]

I've had very good success with my male CPO in a tank at 78 degrees. I have him two months and he's molted three times so far and is very active and healthy!

I just got a female CPO last Friday and have it in a 10gal shrimp tank that has a spotty heater that is going to get replaced because it won't keep a steady temp. It goes from 70 degrees to 82 degrees in one day (I'm lucky nothing has died in that tank)

So from what I can tell they are tough little crays but I would keep them on the warmer side...

 

[spypet]

note that jawasnack has only kept CPO, he has not bred them through yet.

I guess then the question is will the Mississippi crayfish thrive in a cold tank.
maybe someone with USA native crayfish will chime in soon. thanks guys.

 

[jawasnack]

I will also say that when my female gets little bigger and I think it's safe to put her with the male and see if they will breed, they will both go into a different 10gal tank at 78degrees and I can lower the temp if need be! I will update my female CPO post when that time comes and let everyone know how it works out...

 

[spypet]

opps, wrong thread...