Guide to Crayfish as Aquarium Pets
Crawfish are Great for Aquariums
Crayfish are great aquarium pets. They are kind of like hermit crabs in a way but more out in the open over the course of a day and more interesting to watch. Here are some tips on how to buy them and take care of them:
Q: How do I get a crayfish for an aquarium as a pet?
A: There are many ways. You can buy a typical crayfish at a pet store in most cases for around a dollar to four dollars, somewhere in that range. Most aquarium/tropical fish places have the usual red ones but other colors and breeds can be found.
Blue crayfish are popular and can be found at www.bluecrayfish.com or on aquabids.com which is like an EBay for freshwater aquarium owners and fish lovers.
Catching crayfish is also popular.
Q: What's the best way to catch a crayfish?
A: Go to a freshwater lake or stream that has a lot of rocks. Start flipping over the rocks and you should see some commotion. Crayfish will be down there looking for shelter. They go slowly but then rocket away when they are threatened. Place a small net behind them and poke them so they rocket backward into the net.
To transport them, keep them in a bucket of water that is filled only slightly over their heads. Large amounts of water will cause the crayfish to die due to lack of oxygen.
Q: How much care do crayfish need in an aquarium as a pet?
A: Not a whole lot. Feed them shrimp pellets, live or frozen bloodworms, or even things like carrots and lettuce as snacks.
Q: Why do crayfish make good pets?
A: They're fun to watch. They remind people a lot of lobsters which kids love to look at in aquariums and at seafood restaurants, only they are smaller. And they're a lot more interesting than fish that swim around in circles all day.
Q: Are crayfish tasty to eat?
A: Many people in Lousiana and other Southern states find them a delicacy but other people think they're better off as aquarium pets. The choice is yours.
Q: How big do crayfish get?
A: Most common ones are around 3-4 inches but they can get much bigger out in the wild in deep lakes such as the Great Lakes.
Q: Will they hurt the fish in my aquarium?
A: Crayfish are mainly scavengers. They will attack low, slow-moving fish in your aquarium but most of the time they are unsuccessful. When a fish gets wounded in any way, a crayfish will usually take advantage of that situation and eat it, however.
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