How to Raise Crayfish
- 1). Fill an aquarium with dechlorinated water only. Chlorinated water can significantly harm the crayfish. The size of aquarium will vary depending on the number of fish and crayfish you want to raise.
- 2). Add a sponge filter to the aquarium. Attach the filter per specific product instructions, as methods can vary by model. This type of filter is specifically effective in removing biological waste, which can kill crayfish if it is allowed to build up.
- 3). Cover the bottom of the aquarium with a thin layer of aquarium gravel, covering about 1 to 2 inches of the bottom of the tank. Mix in aragonite to the gravel; this extra addition to the substrate will raise the pH level and calcium levels of the water, making it ideal for crays.
- 4). Install shelter for the crayfish by adding aquarium wood, fake aquarium sets or other aquarium pieces. Each crayfish in your aquarium must have at least one shelter piece, as they like to stay hidden and comfortable. If you do not provide enough shelter, crays may fight over the locations.
- 5). Monitor the water temperature; maintain temperature between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This is easily done by keeping the tank in a room that stays consistently in that temperature range. Crays can tolerate temperatures as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit and highs into the low 80s, but may suffer from fatigue and will not grow in those temperatures.
- 6). Feed crayfish in late evening or just before bed. This is the time when crayfish are most active, so there is less chance of the food going to waste. Crays can eat fish flakes, fish pellets or other aquarium foods designed for crustaceans. They also enjoy live worms, boiled vegetables and prekilled insects.
- 7). Feed crayfish 3 percent of their body weight each day. Keeping the crayfish full will lower the chances that they will eat other fish or your aquarium plants.
- 8). Cover your aquarium so that there is no hole large enough for your crayfish to escape. If necessary, weigh down the cover with books, stones or any other heavy object that can keep the cover in place. Crayfish can escape through holes in the aquarium and will dry out and die within a few hours.
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