Possible ideas to liven up a cray tank?

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powellmacaque

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Feb 16, 2005
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So I have a crayfish that isn't too big at all (maybe 2.5" tops) in a 20g high and to be honest it's a rather boring cray. It spends most of the time just lounging in its cave and rarely comes out to explore. I'm not sure what kind of crayfish it is: it was in the $0.99 feeder tank and is brownish/greyish in color.

I know everybody recommends to keep them alone and without plants, but I wanna know if there is anything living that I can add to the tank to create more interaction? I'm open to all suggestions, but I have been thinking about maybe pygmy sunfish or native amphibians or something of that sort or even another crayfish. Any thoughts?
 
That kind of behavior could be an indicator that he is getting ready to molt. Your water parameters also may not be to his liking. Is your water hard enough?

You can put whatever other living creature you want, but don't be surprised if your cray makes a snack out of it. Another cray would be okay to add in that size tank if you provide ample hiding spaces. It's usually also better to keep male/female or female/female, but not required.
 
I forgot to mention that they aren't fond of high light situations, so keeping the aquarium lights off and ensuring the tank isn't getting direct sunlight are good things to do.
 
How do you sex them? Is it the same as a lobster where the males have "grabbers" on their bellies?

I've read mixed reports on mixing different species of crayfish. Is it a bad idea?

Also, it's not that the crayfish is necessarily inactive, it just prefers to spend most of the day arranging it's "den," which is within a rather large cave that I created for it.
 
Interaction could spell trouble. From what you described there's nothing special about it, you just like it. How about a diversion. Hatchetfish, livebearers, or a school of tetras; something that will stay out of its way.

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powellmacaque said:
How do you sex them? Is it the same as a lobster where the males have "grabbers" on their bellies?

I've read mixed reports on mixing different species of crayfish. Is it a bad idea?

Also, it's not that the crayfish is necessarily inactive, it just prefers to spend most of the day arranging it's "den," which is within a rather large cave that I created for it.
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North American crays are sexed as you say, and if you got yours for .99 it's doubtful it's an Aussie species. The sexing is different on them.
 
Are crays really horrible for plants? Mine tends to "decorate," but I haven't noticed it really doing any major renovations in the tank.

Also, will schooling fish be gobbled up when they sleep and go towards the bottom, or is this a myth? My cray is interesting when it decides to explore, but it just seems like 80% of my tank is going unused.
 
Yes that is a North American species. My guess would be of the Procambarus genus, but I can't tell the species.

Are crays really horrible for plants? Mine tends to "decorate," but I haven't noticed it really doing any major renovations in the tank.

Also, will schooling fish be gobbled up when they sleep and go towards the bottom, or is this a myth? My cray is interesting when it decides to explore, but it just seems like 80% of my tank is going unused.
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Well they pretty much eat any plant, so yep they're not that great. If you have another tank with plants, putting plant cuttings in your cray tank is something I do with mine.

And yes, the best rule of thumb is, if the crayfish can catch it, he will try, and if he catches it, it will die. Some cray species (like dwarf species) are more passive when it comes to fish. But with the one you have, if your cray is hungry, he'll go after fish. You're welcome to try it, just don't be upset if fish go missing.
 
Chela scream Procambarus, no question. I believe I see claspers in the first pic, so I'd say male, plus the chela look a bit heavy to be on a female. A better pic would be nice, maybe have someone else snap it while you hold the cray?
 
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