| Crayfish originate from Australia and they are | | | | It is a little tricky to catch crayfish. You have to |
| freshwater invertebrates. Most people call them 'blue | | | | approach it from the back and hold the end of its |
| lobster' and 'yabby' | | | | carapace with both your thumb and index finger |
| There are many species within the Crayfish | | | | Crayfish is unlike some of the fishes. They are |
| community. These beautiful creatures are hardy and | | | | territorial in nature, and so you must never |
| can live to up to five years. Crayfish is much sought | | | | over-stock your tank. So how big should a tank be? |
| after as aquarium pets due to their fancy varieties | | | | Well, 2ft by 1ft will be big enough to keep the |
| and brilliant color. | | | | crayfish happy. |
| How do you select healthy crayfish? | | | | Crayfish likes hiding space. You can place objects in |
| You have to avoid shops where they kept all the | | | | the tanks. Objects such as PVC pipes or rocks will be |
| crayfish in overcrowded tanks with very little water. | | | | able to provide them lot of good hiding places. |
| These crayfish tends to become stress and | | | | For aeration, a bubble filter will do just fine. And take |
| eventually die in such condition. Look for crayfish that | | | | note that crayfish do not need strong lightning and |
| is lively and full of energy. You have to also make | | | | they do not do well in acidic water. |
| sure that they have a complete set of limbs. You can | | | | When it comes to feeding, it is the easiest! Crayfish |
| test it by lowering your hands onto its back. When a | | | | eat anything they can find. It can be dirt, unwanted |
| healthy crayfish sense your hand, their natural | | | | scraps, and feeder fish, sinking pellet or just some |
| reaction is to move back and raise both their pincers | | | | shrimps. Anything, everything goes for these |
| in a defensive stance. If the crayfish simply lie still and | | | | creatures. Crayfish hunt at night, so turn off the |
| does not respond to your touch, you can be sure | | | | aquarium light before you feed them. |
| that it is not healthy. | | | | Crayfish tend to grow by getting rid of its old shell. |
| Their pincers are used to catch prey and protect | | | | They will push itself out of the old shell through the |
| themselves. Sometimes you may notice that some | | | | space just behind the carapace which will split open. |
| of the crayfish have pincers that are smaller than | | | | When they shed their shells, they will be covered |
| most of the other crayfish in the tank, or they may | | | | only with soft tissue. These soft tissues will harden |
| have pincers that are not of equal size. This can be | | | | into new shells after a couple of days.. And usually, |
| that the smaller pincer is a new appendage that grew | | | | the crayfish will eat up its old shell. |
| while replacing the old one. | | | | |