Aquarium crayfish are unpretentious and hardy inhabitants of aquariums, so their breeding does not require much time and effort. A large number of species of crustaceans are known, which can be colonized in their home pond.
Types of aquarium crayfish
If there is a desire to breed crustaceans at home, then it is not necessary to select river arthropods for this purpose, since they do not tolerate warm water, and live very little. In addition, they are incompatible with fish and plants , as they will destroy them. Special crayfish in the aquarium perfectly adapt to artificial conditions and multiply well. Different types are more different in appearance.
Marble aquarium cancer
Beginners often use this kind of crustaceans, which is great for home growing. Marble cancer in the aquarium can on average reach a length of 10-15 cm, but a small size does not mean that they should be grown in small tanks. In the care of this type of crustaceans is no different from the others. It is interesting to obtain the progenies of marble crayfish, since they do not have representatives of the male sex and multiply by parthenogenesis.
Cuban Cancer in the Aquarium
This species is distinguished by the original blue color of its shell. From the name it is clear where in nature such cancers live. On average, adults grow to 6-10 cm, but there are also giants 15 cm in length. Decorative crayfish in the aquarium eat both live and vegetable food. At the bottom of the tank you can put sandy soil with marble chips. It is worth pointing out that the blue Cuban cancer is an excellent swimmer. In captivity, he lives 2-3 years.
Cancer hermit in the aquarium
This is a small marine cancer, which for protection carries a small house - an empty shell. There are different aquarium crayfish hermits, but to maintain purity in the vessel is better suited to the red-legged and bluish type. They will absorb everything that is on the surface of the soil and stones. Since the hermit crab is a tropical inhabitant, the water should be warm and fluctuate within 27 ° C. Living in an aquarium, crayfish, care for which is carried out according to the rules, during molting do not build up shells, and pick up those that are left of snails , so provide for them a great choice.
California aquarium cancer
Crustaceans with a red shell will become an ornament of the aquarium. He is undemanding to the type of water, so in nature he lives in lakes, rivers, ponds and swamps. These decorative aquarium crayfish have no special requirements in content, which makes them very popular. They are very good at changes in temperature, breed well in captivity and get along with fish. Another important advantage is that the cancer is insensitive to the plague.
Popular blue Californian (Floridian) aquarium crayfish, which are the result of selection and in nature their shell has an ugly brown color. Another interesting point - the color of the young can be adjusted by changing the hardness of the water. The maximum saturation is achieved at 15-20 dGH. The adult grows up to 10 cm. They live well and develop in water 20-25 ° C. It is not recommended to plant several males in the aquarium, and the best neighbors are calm fish. Note that in most cases the blue Florida aquarium crayfish are vegetarians.
Zebra Cancer
This species of crustaceans is also called tiger, and all for the original color of the tail. In nature, it lives in clean ponds, lakes and slow rivers of New Guinea. In captivity, individuals grow no more than 10 cm. The conditions in the aquarium of crayfish of this species indicate that they categorically do not tolerate cold water, so the temperature should be above 2 ° C. As for carapace (shell-box), it can be painted in gray, bluish or yellow. The most suitable soil is fine sand. It is best to have two females and one male.
Aquarium crayfish - content
Adaptation of crustaceans occurs quickly, but for this it is necessary to take care of creating suitable conditions. To keep crayfish in an aquarium, select the soil so that the selected plants can take root. Algae must have strong roots and leaves, and still strong stems. Be sure to keep the plants in quarantine before planting. For decor use different stones, snags, halves of flower pots and so on. These details are important for the crayfish to create shelter for themselves.
What aquarium is needed for crawfish?
The volume of the chosen capacity is selected depending on the number of individuals, so for one aquarium cancer of 6 cm in length should account for 15 liters. It is important to consider that in a close dwelling, crustaceans become aggressive, so choose large containers. The conditions in the aquarium for crayfish include an important rule - if many specimens were purchased, then cover the vessel with a lid with holes so that they do not escape, but also have access to oxygen.
Water for crayfish in the aquarium
For the health of crustaceans, the quality of water in the aquarium is of great importance. It must be pure and rich in oxygen. Depending on the type, the temperature of the liquid can fluctuate in the range from 4 to 30 ° C, but more often the indicators are used at 22-26 ° C. Finding out how to contain crayfish in the aquarium, it is worth mentioning about the stiffness indicators, which should be included in the range of 8-12. To raise them, it is recommended to put marble or limestone in the ground.
Note that aquarium crayfish like to hide food leftovers that rot and spoil water, so it is important to regularly replace up to 50% of the liquid. Thus it is recommended to use conditioners. The water must be cleaned with a filter and aerated. Some cancers require a lowered water temperature and for this purpose special devices are used to cool the liquid.
Aquarium crayfish - compatibility with fish
This is an urgent issue for beginners, since it is important to pay attention to neighbors when buying aquarium crayfish. Here the situation is ambiguous, since there are many confirmations of the peaceful existence of fish and crayfish, but in most cases one or the other end up being eaten. When keeping crayfish with fish in the aquarium, it is worth considering that at night the first catch and eat the second. A similar situation is more likely if the fish are slow or live in the lower layers of water. Fish such as cichlids easily break even adult crayfish, which are not particularly protected during moulting.
How to care for crayfish in an aquarium?
It is regularly important not only to replace water, but also to clean the vessel itself with the decor and plants. This is necessary in order to destroy bacteria and fungi that cause disease. To disinfect water, add oak, almond or beech leaves to the aquarium. If you plan to contain crayfish in an aquarium at home, then you should know that for the growth of crustaceans it is important to regularly drop your hard shell and cover with a new one. The moulting period is indicated by the fact that the cancer begins to hide. Do not remove the shell, as the crayfish eat it.
How to feed crayfish in an aquarium?
The most suitable time for feeding crustaceans is the evening, because in the daytime they hide. In addition, if fish live in the aquarium, they lose their activity by the evening, and will not seek to steal food. There are several tips on how to feed aquarium crayfish:
- More than 80% of the daily menu should be food of vegetable origin, for example, you can give Elodie, nettle, water lily, algae, carrots, zucchini, spinach and parsley.
- To diversify the menu you can use mollusks, insects, worms, frozen bloodworms and feed for bottom fish.
- Delicatessen for aquarium crayfish will be a piece of fish or low-fat meat, and the crayfish prefer it in a slightly foul condition. Protein foods should not be given more than once a week, otherwise pets can behave aggressively.
- In pet stores, you can buy special foods for crayfish and shrimp, for example, he has the brands "Dennerle" and "Tetra". They help to strengthen immunity and maintain the brightness of the color.
- It is important to understand how often it is necessary to feed crayfish and on account of this there are different versions. There is an opinion that females need to be fed once every three days, and males - once every two. According to another opinion, do it better once a day. The best solution is to independently select the frequency, observing the behavior of crayfish.
Reproduction of crayfish in an aquarium
To understand which of the crayfish is a male or female is difficult. Representatives of the male have tubular formations next to the last pair of walking legs, and female - before the third pair. In addition, females are smaller in size and more elegant in appearance. There are a number of peculiarities concerning how the crayfish breed in the aquarium:
- Spawning occurs after molting and during this period it is recommended to increase the amount of feed. Female females produce pheromones that attract representatives of the opposite sex. The marriage ritual lasts a couple of hours, and it looks like rhythmic touches.
- After 20 days the female lays eggs, and they join the abdomen. At this point, she sinks to the bottom and great importance for her has peace, so it is better to prepare in advance for her another place of residence.
- When the crayfish hatch, they will hang on Mom before the first molt, and after the second they will already be independent, therefore the female should be transplanted. Consider that in the vascular vessel there should be many shelters for the survival of young animals.
- Feed the kids need intensively, for example, using ready-made fry for bottom finger fry. Still it is possible to give crushed tubulars and nauplii artemia.
Diseases of aquarium crayfish
In most cases, the disease occurs due to unfavorable living conditions. Common cancers of the crayfish in the aquarium:
- Rickettsia . The problem manifests itself rarely and only in the blue Australian crayfish. The diseased individuals look sluggish, do not react to stimuli, and can not turn over if they are turned over on their backs. Mortality from rickettsia is high and antibiotics of a wide range of actions are used for treatment. Well proven in the treatment of tetracycline drugs.
- The plague . Infectious disease, which can be determined by the presence of white and brown-red spots on the caudal muscles. Cancers become active and in the afternoon they even try to get out of the aquarium. In later stages, convulsions are seen. An effective way to treat the plague has not yet been developed.
- Rzhavo-spotted disease . Fungal infectious disease can be noted by the presence of rusty spots with an orange, brown or black tinge. In these places, the shell becomes soft, and then ulcers form. At the moment, the treatment technique is not developed.
- Porcelain disease . Aquarium crayfish in the presence of such a disease lose the ability to move, because they are affected by limbs, and even the oral apparatus and abdomen. Another symptom is the white color of the lower abdomen. This disease is still incurable.
- Mycosis . Fungal disease of aquarium carcinomas, in which the internal organs are affected. The presence of the problem is indicated by brown spots on the abdomen and gills. In most cases, infection occurs due to plants and soil taken from natural conditions. The fungus is sensitive to such agents: "Streptomycin sulfate" and "Penicillin".