Freshwater Crayfish Care
I grew up playing with crayfish. I found them in the backyard burrowed into the ground. Today though I've taken it a step further. I have a pet crayfish at home. He's a blue crayfish and pretty awesome.
If you are getting started with a crayfish, the most important thing for you to know is knowing a little about freshwater crayfish care.
Before You do Anything!
If you are like I was when I first saw a blue crayfish, I wanted to buy my tank, run home, throw some water in and put that crayfish in. Wrong. It doesn't work that way.
You have to take about a week to "cycle" your water or you will kill your crayfish. - And that would only make your kids cry.
It works like this. You add water to your tank and put in water conditioner that eliminates the chlorine. Next you add bacteria and something organic like a shrimp or fish food.
You keep adding fish food (just a pinch) and bacteria (you can buy it) every day for about seven days. Then add about two fish, if they live, then you can add your crayfish. I know, it may sound cruel, but you are going to find out one way or the other if your tank is ready.
Having the water in your tank cycled is essential for freshwater crayfish care.
A Lil' Hiding Place
As you are setting up your tank, you want to make sure you put some sort of "ornament" into your tank. This can be a rock or some type of lil sculpture you buy at the pet store. I have an Easter Island figure in mine.
Crayfish like to hideout. So give them a place to hide out.
More on the Water
Depending on the number of fish you have will depend on how often you change your water. If you have roughly two or so fish along with your crayfish, you will want to change about 25% of the water every four weeks. If you have any more fish, make it two weeks. And remember to always condition the new water when adding it to the tank... You don't want the kids to cry do you?
Also, as far as water temperature goes, keep it at around 73 to 75 degrees. That's just right!
Feeding Crayfish
If you are getting started with a crayfish, the most important thing for you to know is knowing a little about freshwater crayfish care.
Before You do Anything!
If you are like I was when I first saw a blue crayfish, I wanted to buy my tank, run home, throw some water in and put that crayfish in. Wrong. It doesn't work that way.
You have to take about a week to "cycle" your water or you will kill your crayfish. - And that would only make your kids cry.
It works like this. You add water to your tank and put in water conditioner that eliminates the chlorine. Next you add bacteria and something organic like a shrimp or fish food.
You keep adding fish food (just a pinch) and bacteria (you can buy it) every day for about seven days. Then add about two fish, if they live, then you can add your crayfish. I know, it may sound cruel, but you are going to find out one way or the other if your tank is ready.
Having the water in your tank cycled is essential for freshwater crayfish care.
A Lil' Hiding Place
As you are setting up your tank, you want to make sure you put some sort of "ornament" into your tank. This can be a rock or some type of lil sculpture you buy at the pet store. I have an Easter Island figure in mine.
Crayfish like to hideout. So give them a place to hide out.
More on the Water
Depending on the number of fish you have will depend on how often you change your water. If you have roughly two or so fish along with your crayfish, you will want to change about 25% of the water every four weeks. If you have any more fish, make it two weeks. And remember to always condition the new water when adding it to the tank... You don't want the kids to cry do you?
Also, as far as water temperature goes, keep it at around 73 to 75 degrees. That's just right!
Feeding Crayfish
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