How to Breed Dwarf Orange Crayfish

The best way to ensure the highest survival rate for your crayfish is to provide a separate breeding tank. The breeding tank should be large and full of rocks and plants -- you might even add cichlids, snails or other fish for decoration. Your male crayfish must remain in the breeding tank and your female, or females, should be separated into your regular tank. If you own a very large aquarium and all of the crayfish live together in harmony, it is possible to have them mate naturally without the need for a separate breeding tank.

Things You'll Need

  • 55-gallon breeding tank
  • 10-gallon regular fish tank
  • 1 male crayfish
  • 1 to 2 female crayfish
  • Gravel substrate
  • Large variety of foliage, rocks and caves
  • Net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a 55-gallon breeding tank with gravel substrate and plenty of rocks, caves and aquatic plants -- these provide a hiding place for the mating crayfish. Place your male in the breeding tank.

    • 2

      Remove 1 or 2 females from the regular tank and place them in the breeding tank -- the females must be smaller than the male. Watch them closely and remove the visiting crayfish immediately if fighting occurs. The male will roll the female onto her back and deposit his sperm.

    • 3

      Wait and observe the female -- small blackberry-like eggs will remain under her tail for 4 weeks or more. The incubation period depends on the female's health and the aquarium conditions.

    • 4

      Place the female back into the regular tank before she releases her eggs -- no additional fish or crayfish should be in the regular tank with her. She will watch over the fry for a short period of time but be sure to provide numerous hiding places -- the fry will eat one another if left in the open.

    • 5

      Allow the fry to mature before moving them.