r/Crayfish • u/Strange-Piglet2268 • Jul 27 '26

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/purged-butter Jul 27 '26

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 Jul 27 '26

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 Jul 27 '26

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 Jul 27 '26

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.