Identify crayfish

[Wilbergz]

Hello Everyone,

 

I just got a new tank and put this little guy in along with some tetras.

I forgot the name of this crayfish and cant seem to identify it.

Hope someone can help me out.

 

Cheers!

[sdlTBfanUK]

Welcome to SKF!

That looks like a white specter Crayfish to me. I hope it doesn't kill/eat the fish? Here is a link to some basic details etc!

https://aquaticarts.com/pages/white-specter-crayfish-care-guide

Simon

[Wilbergz]

Thanks for the link! He has been chasing the tetras but haven't seen any dead fish yet... im thinking of getting some red tail sharks as ive read they can co exist and be friends. Any thoughts?

 

[sdlTBfanUK]

There is a risk to getting the red fin shark. A friend got one and his other fish numbers gradually reduced which must have been the shark (but he was very sneaky and so no-one actually saw him), no more disappeared when he got rid of the shark. I think it just depends on the one you get.

For the crayfish, he will definitely need a cave (or similar) to hide in when he moults as he will be extremely vulnerable to the shark until his shell hardens which would be a few days!

Overall it probably isn't a good idea to get the shark and maybe you have something else you might like to add?

Simon

[Wilbergz]

So far I have a bunch of tetras and just that cray, was hoping to get something that can co exist and actually grow  a bit in size. Also the cray is slightly orange ish had to reduce resolution. 

 

Attached is my set up. Should i still get a cave? I would like to get one more crayfish when more come to town but having problems seeing which breed will likely co exist with current one. (55gal tank)

[sdlTBfanUK]

Lovely setup!

As far as I know, Puffers are a DEFINITE NO NO and the shark is a risk. The crayfish will need something to hide his whole body inside whwn he has moulted for a few days until the shell hardens. His whole body would need to be out of reach and there isn't anything in your tank where that can happen that I can see, he would still be exposed! Getting more than 1 crayfish is also very risky as they are territorial and will likely fight until 1 or both are dead unless they have A LOT of room (even then it is risky)! I would think your tank would only support the 1!

Fish wise you would want peaceful mid to top dwellers so they are as out of reach as possible, but the crayfish is an opportunist so there is always some risk. Tetras fall into that group and there is a wide range of sizes to suit most requirements?

Simon

[jayc]

Fish are most at risk at night, when they rest and stay motionless. Any bottom dweller is at the highest risk.

Mid to top dwellers like angelfish fair better,as they keep out of reach of the cray.

I don't want to tell you that you cannot keep fish with crays, but you need to be aware of the risk of loosing fish. So don't buy anything you don't want to lose. 

[Wilbergz]

Thanks for your help! According to the fish store my cray  is an apricot crayfish.

What are optimal levels of ph nitrate etc? Im logging my cycle at the moment and would like some reference.

 

Thank you.