How to Keep Crayfish in an Aquarium

Freshwater crayfish are attractive and interesting invertebrates that live in cool, slow-moving streams. Aquarists can choose from more than 150 species of these normally small and colorful creatures. Freshwater crayfish are typically beautifully colored and the various species range in color from a vivid blue through yellow to red. These invertebrates have a life span of two to three years and are normally well-behaved aquarium pets.

Things You'll Need

  • Freshwater aquarium with tight-fitting lid
  • Small grain aquarium gravel
  • Pre-washed freshwater rocks
  • Clay flower pot
  • Chlorine remover
  • Canister filter with mechanical, biological and chemical filter compartments
  • Filter floss
  • Activated carbon
  • Bio balls
  • Test kit to measure pH
  • Buffer solutions to either raise or lower pH
  • Sinking commercial fish pellets
  • Lettuce, spinach and zucchini
  • Liquid calcium
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 20-gallon aquarium on a strong and level surface or fish tank stand. Place the aquarium in a draft-free corner of the room that does not receive direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight will cause the growth of unwanted algae and may warm the water unnecessarily.

    • 2

      Place a 2- to 3-inch layer of prewashed, small grain gravel on the floor of the aquarium. Crayfish enjoy digging, so the gravel layer should be deep enough and the grains should not be too large.

    • 3

      Place a number of prewashed freshwater rocks and rounded river stones onto the gravel. Position a clay flower pot, on its side, near the rear of the aquarium.

    • 4

      Fill the aquarium with tap water. Add a commercial liquid chlorine remover according to the instructions on the bottle.

    • 5

      Open the canister filter and fill the biological filter compartment with bio balls. Place a nylon bag of activated carbon into the chemical filter compartment and place a handful of filter floss into the mechanical filter compartment. Close the canister filter and connect it to the aquarium, using the plastic intake and outlet pipes.

    • 6

      Turn on the canister filter and allow the water to circulate for at least a day.

    • 7

      Use a pH test to gauge the pH of the aquarium water. Crayfish prefer a neutral pH of 7. Use the required buffer product to either raise or lower the pH, if necessary.

    • 8

      Place your crayfish into the aquarium. Only add a single specimen, because these invertebrates are territorial and will be aggressive toward each other.

    • 9

      Place a tight-fitting canopy onto the aquarium. Crayfish are escape artists.

    • 10

      Drop a sinking commercial fish food pellet into the aquarium. Observe the crayfish eating and do not feed again until the first pellet has been eaten. Feed every second or third day, provided the crayfish continues to eat the entire pellet. Add small pieces of boiled spinach, lettuce or zucchini every few days.

    • 11

      Add liquid aquarium calcium to the aquarium during the period your crayfish sheds its exoskeleton. The calcium assists the invertebrate to develop a strong, new exoskeleton.