Breeding Crayfish

[Rhykiru]

I was wondering, is there anyway to breed crayfish? My lfs has a whole bunch of cray fish (rusty colored ones) sold as feeders 99 cents each. The thing is, i think they are territorial so does that make them impossible to breed in an aquarium? And if it is possible, what should the babies be fed?

 

[jlOisAhoTti]

If the tank is big enough they should be fine, but try to pick two of the opposite sex. The females have shorter fatter claws, the males have longer skinnier claws. They are very simple to breed really, all you need to do is feed them and give them water. I feed my babies sinking pellets, they can't get enough.

 

[Rhykiru]

hm, well they do ok in a 5 gallon tank (i have one thats already cycled) with one cave? I dont know what species they are but the ones are my lfs are small, 1-2 inches big and they are rusty colored and their claws are small. If anyone knows what species this is, can they tell me the max size and min tank size if possible please?

thanks ^^

 

[eschaton]

What country are you in? If it's the UK it's likely a Red-Claw Cray, though those outside the UK have numerous other options.

 

[Rhykiru]

i live in florida, usa

 

[Rhykiru]

also, will they eat ghost shrimp?

 

[raptorrex]

I was wondering, is there anyway to breed crayfish? My lfs has a whole bunch of cray fish (rusty colored ones) sold as feeders 99 cents each. The thing is, i think they are territorial so does that make them impossible to breed in an aquarium? And if it is possible, what should the babies be fed?

if you can keep two alive together, as stated breeding will happen. you will need to move the little ones out as soon as they are free of mum. brine shrimp will do for food, at first anyway.

hm, well they do ok in a 5 gallon tank (i have one thats already cycled) with one cave? I dont know what species they are but the ones are my lfs are small, 1-2 inches big and they are rusty colored and their claws are small. If anyone knows what species this is, can they tell me the max size and min tank size if possible please?

thanks ^^

no 5 g is no good for one never mind two. 20 g minimum for two. they are probably Orconectes rusticus, the Rusty crayfish. actually a very nasty pest in many parts of the US

also, will they eat ghost shrimp?

most Crayfish are not carnivores but omnivores, veggie being the largest part of their diet. they really should eat dead food. they would mostly eat rotting flesh and plants, in the wild.