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I used to work at the New England aquarium, and we would keep lobster and crab molts all the time for educational purposes. The sooner you can pull the molt from the tank the better. Place the molt on a paper towel and then just leave in a dry, well-ventilated area away from prying hands or paws. Sometimes it's good to place the paper towel and molt in an uncovered Tupperware dish to protect it a little more. In a couple days the connective tissue between joints, etc. will be dry and hard enough to have locked your molt in whatever position you placed it in. Obviously it is extremely fragile, but it is a super cool keepsake! I have also had success doing this with smaller molts like cleaner and fire shrimp. Do not try this with deceased animals, unless you are trying to get rid of roommates, as the stench will clear the house ?

Oh ! so that is your crayfish's name, not yours!

Ello, I'm Andrew, I mostly joined this forum out of curiosity and to ask the question about preserving my crayfish moult, but thought I'd introduce myself. I have a tank with a blue crayfish, Sawyer. He's big guy, and he's got a lot of personality. He's in the tank with four fish tank mates, all of which don't bother him at all, and are all very sweet fish. I'm not certain of the species of the fish, though, the guy that was getting rid of them didn't even know what he had in his tank. I'll post some photos of my big guy for you all. I'd add shrimp to my tank, but there's already a nice balance where Sawyer's not eating anyone, and I don't wish to mess it up, you know? Nice to meet you all. xx

Had a quick look in my book and it looks to be the Florida (everglades) blue crayfish (Procambarus alleni) and looks like a male. They grow to 4 inches (body) and if they breed the young will predate on each other if not separated as they moult frequently when young! Ph 7.5-8.0 and temp 64-81F ideally! They will eat plants except Java fern and crypts. As with Crabclaw, would love to see the fish as well. Simon

I think the only ones are Mexican dwarf crays. Welcome Andrew! Could u post a photo of the fish so we can ID them?

Stunning! Quite the vibrant blue! Welcome to SKFA! :)

Aha I figured, I couldn't find anything online. Thanks anyway. xx

You're on your own there. No one I know has attempted to keep the moult of a shrimp or crayfish.

Thank you! I asked my boyfriend about it, an he thought I was right creepy for wanting to keep it haha. Thank you! So, drying just means leaving it out of water till it's not wet, right? There's nothing else I should do to make it not rot?

I don't see how that's weird or creepy at all! Yeah, it's pretty cool! Shrimp molts usually don't hold up well once dried, but then again, I'm talking small shrimp.... larger shrimp or crays I imagine the molts should hold together better once dried and handled carefully!

Yes drying it should work.