Crayfish usually go for $20, or more. With the rarer varieties, they can for $30 or even more! In some parts of the world, you can catch crayfish in streams or other shallow bodies of water. Just grab a small net and start hunting under rocks until you spot one that will make a suitable pet. [2] X Research source
Crayfish thrive in cool conditions like mud flats and riverbeds, so stay away from heated aquariums. Look for tanks that feature built-in aeration and filtration units to keep the water clean and circulating properly.
A pH testing kit can come in handy for determining how acidic or basic the water in your tank is. You can typically find these kits in the fish section at pet stores, or wherever pool supplies are sold. Avoid adding objects like seashells to your tank, as foreign minerals can throw off the pH of the water.
If your tank doesn’t have a filter, it may be necessary to increase the frequency of your water changes to twice a week. Stick to mounted tube or sponge filters only. Crayfish like to dig, which can end up jamming undergravel filters.
Shut off any surrounding light sources or keep one side of the tank covered to minimize the amount of light that gets in. Crayfish like it dark. [6] X Research source
Crayfish can also have frozen aquarium foods occasionally, such as daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. Never feed your crayfish live or uncooked shrimp. Shrimp carry diseases that can be fatal to crays. [7] X Research source
It’s perfectly fine for crayfish to eat spoiled or decaying organic matter. In fact, treating your crayfish to veggies that are going bad is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.
If you’re caring for more than one crayfish (which isn’t recommended), it’s okay to double the amount of food you administer. Still, keep an eye out for leftovers and scoop them out whatever remnants you find quickly. Overeating can actually be bad for crayfish, as it causes their exoskeletons to become soft and weak.
Crayfish typically only attack sickly fish that sink toward the bottom of the tank. If you discover your crayfish devouring one of its tankmates, chances are it was close to death anyway. There is a more aggressive option if you plan to keep crayfish in a community tank, to cut half of the inner claw to prevent any nipping or aggressive action with a sterilized knife or scissor. This still allows the crayfish to pick up food. Every few months, carefully cut the tips of their claws to ensure they don’t start nipping fins again. While crayfish don’t pose much of a threat to other fish, the reverse isn’t always true. Large species like cichlids and catfish have been known to attack crays, often resulting in the injury or death of one or both creatures. It’s not recommended that you keep more than one crayfish in a tank. If you do, it will be important to make sure they have plenty of space to themselves, and that they’re the same species. Crayfish of different species are more likely to try to kill each other.
Don’t bother feeding your crayfish in the first 3-5 days after it molds. During this time, it will only eat the old exoskeleton. [12] X Research source Add a few drops of potassium iodine to the tank when your crayfish begins exiting its shell. Molting crayfish have been known to die off as a result of iodine deficiency. You can find potassium iodine at any store that stocks aquatic pet accessories. [13] X Research source Your crayfish will be especially vulnerable to malnutrition and attacks from other fish with its soft body exposed.
Be vigilant about blocking off all potential escape routes. If your crayfish manages to find a way out of its tank, it can dehydrate and die in just a few hours. Never put a runaway crayfish back in its tank immediately. Instead, place it in a shallow container with just enough water to cover it. Its gills will need time to get acclimated to the water again—otherwise, it can actually drown when fully submerged. [14] X Research source
