How to Care for Freshwater Blue Lobster Crayfish

The blue lobster crayfish, also known as the blue lobster or the blue crayfish, is a type of crayfish that, as its name suggests, is a startling and beautiful shade of bright blue. These small, lobster-shaped creatures can grow to between 2 and 8 inches long, and may live for up to five years. Blue lobster crayfish can be fascinating to watch as they move and hunt. They can also be aggressive toward other aquarium inhabitants. Due to this behavior, and their size, it̵7;s best to care for just one blue crayfish in an aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • 30-gallon aquarium
  • Tight fitting aquarium lid
  • Fine aquarium substrate
  • Hiding place, such as a piece of plastic pipe or an aquarium decoration
  • Assorted aquarium decorations or plants
  • Filtration system
  • Aeration system
  • Thermometer
  • Water testing kit
  • Various crayfish foods
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the blue lobster crayfish in an aquarium about 30 gallons in size. When placing the crayfish in the water, gently hold it upside down underwater for a few minutes to allow any air trapped in the gills to escape. This will prevent drowning.

    • 2

      Place a tight-fitting lid on the top of the aquarium. Crayfish will climb up on plants or decorations, and can easily escape from an open aquarium.

    • 3

      Add a fine substrate, such as fine gravel or sand, to the bottom of the aquarium. Crayfish enjoy burrowing.

    • 4

      Add a hiding place to the aquarium. Blue crayfish enjoy having a place to go where they can feel secure. A small piece of plastic pipe or a cave aquarium decoration will work well. You can also add other aquarium decorations, as well as real or fake aquarium plants, to the aquarium to provide more hiding and climbing areas.

    • 5

      Install a filtration system, designed for the size of aquarium you have. This will keep the water in the aquarium clean and will also provide a bit of current and water oxygenation.

    • 6

      Install an aeration system, such as an air pump attached to an airstone. Blue lobster crayfish require a lot of oxygen in their water to remain healthy.

    • 7

      Place a thermometer in the aquarium and maintain a water temperature between 60 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 8

      Monitor the pH level of the aquarium water. Blue lobster crayfish prefer water with a pH level between 7.0 and 8.5. You can use water additives to adjust the pH level if you need to.

    • 9

      Feed the blue lobster crayfish a variety of foods, such as shrimp pellets, small carrot or cucumber slices, or small dried or frozen crustaceans and insects. Blue lobster crayfish, like other crayfish types, are omnivorous scavengers, and will eat nearly anything.

    • 10

      Maintain a high water quality and cleanliness by performing a 25-percent water change every two weeks. This is when 25 percent of the old aquarium water is removed and replaced with clean water.