How to Grow Crayfish at Home

It is possible to grow crayfish in your home aquarium. These invertebrates are omnivores and will readily accept both commercial pellets and green vegetables in captivity. To keep them successfully, make sure that the water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels are correct for your growing crayfish. There should also be enough calcium available in the water each time these young creatures shed their exoskeleton. If you meet all of these criteria you will not have a problem to grow crayfish youngsters in an aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • 100-gallon freshwater aquarium
  • Aquarium stand
  • Small grain aquarium gravel
  • Three clay flower pots
  • 8 fl oz's chlorine neutralizer
  • Teaspoon
  • Aquarium heater
  • PH test kit
  • Submersible pump and venturi nozzle
  • Canister filter with mechanical, biological and chemical filter compartments
  • Bio balls
  • Filter floss
  • Activated carbon
  • Sinking fish pellets
  • Spinach, zucchini, frozen peas and diced carrots
  • Tight fitting aquarium hood
  • Liquid aquarium calcium
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 100-gallon aquarium on a level fish tank stand. Position the aquarium away from any windows that receive direct sunlight to prevent the growth of nuisance algae.

    • 2

      Place a 3-inch layer of prewashed, fine grain gravel on the bottom of the aquarium. Crayfish like to dig, so the gravel should be rounded and the grains fairly small.

    • 3

      Position a number of clay flowerpots on their side toward the rear of the aquarium.

    • 4

      Fill the aquarium with tap water and add 10 teaspoons of chlorine neutralizer to the water.

    • 5

      Set an aquarium heater to between 65 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the best temperature to obtain good growth for crayfish species from the continental United States.

    • 6

      Use a dip-and-read pH test kit to determine the pH of your water. Crayfish require water that is slightly alkaline. Soft water does not contain enough calcium, and this will inhibit molting, which is essential for the growth of these youngsters. A pH of 7.5 is suitable.

    • 7

      Place a venturi nozzle on a submersible pump and position it in the aquarium. Crayfish prefer water with high levels of dissolved oxygen.

    • 8

      Remove the top of the canister filter and place bio balls into the biological filter compartment. Place filter floss into the mechanical filter compartment and a pouch of activated carbon into the chemical filter compartment. Replace the top and connect the filter to the aquarium.

    • 9

      Feed the young crayfish a mixture of sinking fish pellets, boiled spinach or zucchini, frozen peas and diced carrots. Feed daily, but remove uneaten food at the end of each day.

    • 10

      Place a tight-fitting hood on the aquarium to prevent the youngsters from escaping.

    • 11

      Add liquid aquarium calcium to the aquarium each time your crayfish shed their exoskeletons. This calcium helps the young crayfish develop new exoskeletons as they grow.