Hello, I have never personally kept crayfish but am very interested. Will they eat live plants? thanks.
crays and live plants?
Started by
Guest_MasterJW_*
, Apr 28 2013 10:06 AM
7 replies to this topic
#3
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 28 April 2013 - 12:21 PM
And live fish
And live crays
And live crays
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#4
Guest_Skipjack_*
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 28 April 2013 - 01:07 PM
And when Crayfish molt, and are a mass of jelly, unable to move for several hours, even small fish will eat them.
#5
mattknepley
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- NANFA Member
- Smack-dab between the Savannah and the Saluda.
Posted 29 April 2013 - 06:04 AM
While what Matt and Michael said is most certainly true, it isn't all downside. Feeding crays is not an issue, obviously. Mine have eaten any and all fish food, fish, and plants. But they seem to leave healthy plants alone if there are plentiful other food sources. They can be incorporated into a native tank with careful choice of companions, keeping in mind they may do in a few fish or be done in by them. (Keeping what Matt said in mind, I haven't seen mine in a couple days, wonder if he experienced a terminal molt at the hands of my Cyprinella...) I have (had?) one in my 50 with greenfin shiners, too fast and feisty for him to catch, and Christmas darters who are more vulnerable but still very capable of avoiding him. Crays also adapt pretty well to tank life. If you want to skip cohabitation issues, their interesting looks, fast growth, and behaviors justify a small, single cray tank. I enjoy watching mine excavate his burrow, and his feeding is pretty cool.
That's my two cents, based on my experiences.
That's my two cents, based on my experiences.
Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#6
Guest_gerald_*
Guest_gerald_*
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Posted 29 April 2013 - 09:57 AM
The dwarf crayfishes (Cambarellus) are usually safe with plants, and also less aggressive to each other.
#7
Guest_Usil_*
Guest_Usil_*
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Posted 29 April 2013 - 10:00 AM
I like crays and they do make interesting tank mates but like others say they do eat fish. Occasionally you will wake up one morning and find a fish missing or dead and half eaten at the bottom just when you think that there will be no issues. They are opportunist and do eat at night when fish tend to slow down. If they happen to eat your favorite fish then that might be a problem. If this is not a problem for you then have at it.
Usil
Usil
Edited by Usil, 29 April 2013 - 10:01 AM.
#8
Guest_jacksmelt_*
Guest_jacksmelt_*
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Posted 12 May 2013 - 09:15 AM
my tiger cray was hell on my plants not really eating them a lot but burrowing the roots out. i got tired of having to replant so i put her in her own 10gal. now she can burrow till her hearts content!
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