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Lone Wolff · 02-27-2008, 12:42 AM

I thought I was the only one who had an escaped crawdad/crayfish story.

About 20 years ago I had a 20g high tank that unfortunately did not have a lid/canopy. I got it that way with some goldfish from a neighbor. It was my first tank, and I didn't know anything besides fish needed water and oxygen. And food.

This was before the internet, and if you wanted to actually learn about something you had to go to the library and read a book...or 12. That was just too much work. I did enough time at the library in college. I'd just wing it. After about 6 months the 3 goldfish were dead.

So I decided I wanted a 'native' tank, with species native to the area. I went out and captured a crawdad and a bluegill from a nearby pond. The crawdad was bigger than the bluegill, so I didn't worry about the bluegill eating him for a long time to come.

Still no lid on the tank, and somehow nothing had ever escaped in the subsequent months. In my blissful ignorance, I just kept the water level about 4-5 inches below the top. That'd be good enough, right?

After about a year or two, the bluegill began getting big enough to start thinking about that leggy thing at the bottom of the tank, and would occasionally peck at him ans chase him around. I started thinking about 'What next?' Do I let the fish get big enough to have a really big dinner some day? Do I let the bluegill loose? Do I let the crawdad loose?

Before I make up my mind, I notice no crawdad one morning. I figure the bluegill ate him. Oh well, at least I won't need to feed him for a day or two.

Then about a week later one morning....no bluegill. Crap. What happened? Oh there he is. Dead on the carpet. At least my cats weren't trying to eat it.

So I end up giving the tank to my nephews on the condition that my sister get them a lid for it.

Happy ending, right?

Well, fast forward about 3 years later. I'm married, and my wife and I are moving out of the 1 bedroom duplex into our new house. In the process of moving, I am packing up some 'clutter' that I had inside of a milk crate that was laying on it's side next to my bed. I used it as a nightstand in my bachelor days, and for some reason the wife hadn't gotten up enough nerve to make my get a real piece of furniture.

So guess what I find inside the clutter? Good ole' Mr Crawdad who disappeared from the 20g tank 3 years prior. The distance from the tank to my bedroom was about 60 feet. What a long, strange trip that must have been. Poor guy. I could not figure out how it never stunk up the joint, though. I know my sense of smell isn't great, but surely my two cats would have gave him away? Guess not.

Utterly strange, but I'm thankful that I discovered it and not my wife.

So the moral of the story...ALWAYS make sure you have a cover for your tank!

02-27-2008, 12:42 AM	#36 (permalink)
Lone Wolff Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 64	I thought I was the only one who had an escaped crawdad/crayfish story. About 20 years ago I had a 20g high tank that unfortunately did not have a lid/canopy. I got it that way with some goldfish from a neighbor. It was my first tank, and I didn't know anything besides fish needed water and oxygen. And food. This was before the internet, and if you wanted to actually learn about something you had to go to the library and read a book...or 12. That was just too much work. I did enough time at the library in college. I'd just wing it. After about 6 months the 3 goldfish were dead. So I decided I wanted a 'native' tank, with species native to the area. I went out and captured a crawdad and a bluegill from a nearby pond. The crawdad was bigger than the bluegill, so I didn't worry about the bluegill eating him for a long time to come. Still no lid on the tank, and somehow nothing had ever escaped in the subsequent months. In my blissful ignorance, I just kept the water level about 4-5 inches below the top. That'd be good enough, right? After about a year or two, the bluegill began getting big enough to start thinking about that leggy thing at the bottom of the tank, and would occasionally peck at him ans chase him around. I started thinking about 'What next?' Do I let the fish get big enough to have a really big dinner some day? Do I let the bluegill loose? Do I let the crawdad loose? Before I make up my mind, I notice no crawdad one morning. I figure the bluegill ate him. Oh well, at least I won't need to feed him for a day or two. Then about a week later one morning....no bluegill. Crap. What happened? Oh there he is. Dead on the carpet. At least my cats weren't trying to eat it. So I end up giving the tank to my nephews on the condition that my sister get them a lid for it. Happy ending, right? Well, fast forward about 3 years later. I'm married, and my wife and I are moving out of the 1 bedroom duplex into our new house. In the process of moving, I am packing up some 'clutter' that I had inside of a milk crate that was laying on it's side next to my bed. I used it as a nightstand in my bachelor days, and for some reason the wife hadn't gotten up enough nerve to make my get a real piece of furniture. So guess what I find inside the clutter? Good ole' Mr Crawdad who disappeared from the 20g tank 3 years prior. The distance from the tank to my bedroom was about 60 feet. What a long, strange trip that must have been. Poor guy. I could not figure out how it never stunk up the joint, though. I know my sense of smell isn't great, but surely my two cats would have gave him away? Guess not. Utterly strange, but I'm thankful that I discovered it and not my wife. So the moral of the story...ALWAYS make sure you have a cover for your tank!