Wild Crayfish

[paperdog9]

I was interested in keeping a wild crayfish, but after research, I'm kind of worried it will eat my other fish. I was just wondering if they would still eat the fish if I introduced them while they are tiny, like pea sized.*GOLDFISH

 

[Newman]

yes he will. he will certainly hurt them in some way. ive seen vids with crayfish latching onto goldfish by pinching their fins.

 

[paperdog9]

OK, thanks, guess i should drop that idea and just settle with a snail... You know what, i'd be cool to have a muscel in there, does anyone think it'll work?

 

[Newman]

if you cant keep very clean water conditions in your tank, then try not to get a clam/mussel. they will die in anything thats not clean water. I mean your ammonia and nitrite have to be 0 and nitrate should really be below 20ppm.

 

[paperdog9]

Oh, got it, I guess just a snail then???

 

[Newman]

yea itll work. make sure its larger than the goldfish' mouth though, or they will eat it.

 

[paperdog9]

Accutally, they are going to be some native shiners, not minnows

 

[paperdog9]

Do you think it would work if I used a rubber band or somting to keep they're claws closed, or is that to evil

 

[brian1973]

Do you think it would work if I used a rubber band or somting to keep they're claws closed, or is that to evil

LOL.. what are your plans exactley? If the crays are smaller then the fish and the fish are not slow movers then they will PROBABLY be ok for a while. If your going with native shiners then you should be ok but it is likely that the crays or the fish will become prey at some point depending on size. I had a greensunfish that would kill any cray I put in the tank. Do me a favor and start one thread outlining your plan. It would be easier to answer all your questions IMO in one thread.

Freshwater clams and mussels can be problematic, I have heard horror stories of them dying and the owner not findong out until all the fish died when the water quality went bad over night.

 

[paperdog9]

OK... I'll make the thread soon!! It might be a little while because of times sake, but it"ll come!

 

[paperdog9]

now I'm starting a tropical tank instead, so nevermind

 

[Bl33dy]

just for the record, i caught a big bull of a crawfish and put him in my cichlid tank. he caught a few fish and ate them:/ but they got him back! i woke up one morning to find that he had shed his shell and the fish attacked him when he was soft, flipped him over and killed him. i would also not suggest the rubberbands on the claws, because while they have other "feet" they use for eating, they also use their big claws to scavange. all in all, crawfish are neat, lots of fun to watch etc. but i would say unless you wanna have your fish ate up, try to get a little 5gal or something for the crawfish