Page 2 of 2

Re: Is a crayfish a suitable addition to an african aquarium?

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 12:23 pm
by southoak
I've heard of those Mexican Dwarf Crayfish. I've had crawfish before and they're really delicious. I was just curious if I could add one to my tank since I'm having some today. But I guess it's not a good idea, even with those smaller ones. Like you said, they'll still go after the fish if they get the chance. I can see why you had to remove yours after it tried to attack your Balloon Pearl Gourami.

Re: Is a crayfish a suitable addition to an african aquarium?

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 2:14 pm
by detroit
southoak wrote: Fri Apr 04, 2025 12:13 am I've got a crawcoastrl today and was thinking of adding a crawfish to my 75 gallon tank. It's currently home to 3 clown loaches, and I'm curious to know if this would be a good idea.
I recall a time when I was at this one fish store, and I overheard this interesting conversation between the owner and a customer. The customer was actually complaining that his fish had eaten his crayfish, which I found quite amusing since crayfish are considered a delicacy in many places.

I personally think the Tiger Stripe Crayfish is quite beautiful. And if you have a red or blue crayfish, it can really add some nice color to your tank.

Re: Is a crayfish a suitable addition to an african aquarium?

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 2:58 pm
by southoak
detroit wrote: Fri Apr 04, 2025 7:35 am Most fish and crayfish don't mix well. Crayfish are nocturnal, so they're active at night when most fish are resting. This makes them an easy target, especially for bottom-dwellers that sleep near the substrate.

That being said, if you pair crayfish with large aggressive fish, the tables might turn. The crayfish could end up becoming a meal for the fish - a 'lobster/crayfish snack' so to speak.

Only top-dwelling fish that stay near the surface might be compatible with crayfish. These fish rarely venture down to the bottom, so they're less likely to cross paths with the crayfish. I know someone who keeps crayfish with top-dwelling fish and it seems to work out for them.
I gotta say, crawfish beats lobster any day.