Crayfish really are escape artists

[bj]

Hi all,

I was on the computer this morning when I heard some flicking noises coming from under the chair. First time I thought it was just the wind on something and then after hearing it again I decided to check it out. I really hoped it was not a mouse or something because it would probably mean there would be a nest around the property somewhere. I pulled out a plastic bag and low and behold one of my crayfish had decided to go for a walk. He was there laying on the ground about 10 metres from the tanks. I dont have a clue how he got out. The tanks are pretty well sealed and the only opening was in the centre of the tank were a automatic feeder is set up. I put him straight into his tank and the little bugger is doing fine now. He's had his exercise for today  :lol: .

I also noticed yesterday that one of the redclaw has eggs. At the moment I have babies coming out of everywhere (rivulatus and convicts) and have enough trouble getting new tanks running and cycled for them  :lol: . I love this hobby. Very interesting and very challenging at times as well.

Happy fish keeping.

BJ   :D  :D

[Dead Fish Floating]

I had some success raising a few crayfish species.
I noticed an almost 100% survival rate when I added this green algae from a pond.
Had a strange fishing line texture.
Once mum dropped I removed her,
and little crays ate the algae away completely.
was giving little feeds of protien pellet, carrot skin, peas, chook pellets and some flake.
Any piece of net or something lets them set up more little territorys
but the ball of algae was like a 3d terrain.
Managed to get redclaws, blueclaws and destructors
in good numbers. A good covering of duckweed,
and a nice big airpowered sponge filter for them to... eat
are big pluses to.
Chopping some frozen earth worm up in a cup with skissors
then mixing with tank water and tipped back in seemed to generate a bit of excitement to the hordes.
I had to section off a few bits of guttering on besa bricks (2 high) to seperate the larger ones with the destructors...
like a crayfish nano almost, powered by a powerhead in the worlds cheapest sump (a big icecream tub sitting on a bessa block) connected to a long pipe that dumped into the opposite end of the gutter.
Was planning on making a course that zig zagged to shorten length of return hose.
That = cheap to pump.
I have had many a cray esacpe
including ones I didn't find until we moved house.
Most of the marron, lecky blues and normals
I have kept have been keen to migrate back to WA.
sneaky creatures.
A tip I was shown is to hold them upside down to
get the airbubbles out of their gills when you return them to the tank.
Oh and never forget that red claw are a species of economic value.
Search the local DPI webpages. Aquaculture species are the easiest to find the goss on.
Many of the documants are designed to be farmer proof.