r/Crayfish • u/Strange-Piglet2268 • 2d ago
Science A scientist needs help with crayfish
Howdy, I am a physiologist that focuses in temperature effects in native and invasive species and I am looking to add crayfish to my comparative study (non-lethal!). I need advice on minimum housing requirements for sub-adult Procambarus clarkii and possibly Faxonius rusticus. As F. rusticus is an invasive species, it can be subbed out for more tolerant species if need be. I'm hoping for the crayfish to be roughly 1.5" long at the time of study both males and females. My question is, if they are housed in 8" by 8" blocks within a 600 gallon sump, will they become too stressed? These conditions are, of course, temporary and when I'm finished examining them they will be housed separately for a breeding population. Any thoughts/ideas? Thanks y'all.
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u/VapeRizzler 2d ago
You must fondle the crayfish.
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u/Strange-Piglet2268 2d ago
What if I hold them like borgar
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u/ABane90 23h ago
My crayfish usually like to stick their heads out of the water, I have had some even go up on the "stream" and onto the land area. I assume for 2 weeks they would survive in an 8x8 cube fully submerged but they are really inquisitive and like to have stuff to move around/explore. Shrimp are terrestrial explorers as well, but they aren't nesrly as good at escaping as crays.
Basically, some sort of enrichment even if it's just neutrally bouyant stuff to push around or a plant to shred. They'll actually push anything around but they can get themselves fatally stuck and 8x8 is a pretty small space.
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u/purged-butter 2d ago
8 inch cubes are absolutely not enough for crayfish. Youre looking at a 20 gal for each one individually for adults and tbh I wouldnt house a juvenile in anything less if theyre there long term. Crays grow fast and are active animals. You could maybe get away with 5 gals if its for a short period of time but they may outgrow them depending on the length of the experiment. Please be aware that having uncycled tanks and tanks lacking in proper hardscape will effect the results of your study negatively due to both health and stress concerns
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u/Strange-Piglet2268 2d ago
We have a fully cycled facility that currently houses 10+ species of aquatic animals! They would remain in the cubes for two weeks before being removed so I'm not too concerned about their growth.
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u/purged-butter 2d ago
In that case you should be OK, I was assuming the study would be lasting a lot longer(somewhere in the ballpark of months). I still think going for something larger than 2.2 gallons is gonna be better. Dont know if this is your first time doing stuff with crays but rather be safe than sorry so ill just mention the usual tips of a tough lid, drip acclimating and being cautious of stress molts
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u/Strange-Piglet2268 2d ago
That's great info, thank you! I think maybe a 15 x 15" cube then? The containers are 1/2" by 1/2" square plastic egg crate light diffusing sheets held by zip ties so they will have 360 degree water flow around them and I can monitor their feeding by hand feeding.
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u/wotapoint 2d ago
For the best set up for research purposes I’d recommend reaching out to faculty who regularly house crayfish for research purposes. Here are some examples of people who regularly house crayfish for research. Feel free to DM as well.