Aquarium cancer: photos and names, content, compatibility

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Keeping and breeding aquarium crayfish at home was previously considered exotic. However, in recent years, their popularity among amateur aquarists has begun to grow. They are interesting, unpretentious in care, have a calm character and bright appearance.

Crustaceans in nature

Crayfish (Astacidea) belong to the order of decapod crustaceans, consisting of more than 100 species, many of which are suitable for keeping in aquariums. Under favorable conditions, they can live 2-5 years, bringing a lot of joy to their owners.

In nature, creatures with shells and claws live in both fresh and s alt water. In recent years, breeders have bred many types of crayfish that have brighter and more beautiful colors compared to their wild relatives.

The most interesting representatives of freshwater crustaceans belong to two families:

• Parastacids (Parastacidae) - inhabit the rivers and lakes of some parts of South America, Australia, Madagascar and New Guinea.
• Cambaridae - the inhabitants of the Northern Hemisphere are surrounded by them, they are characterized by bright colors, and therefore theyideal for aquarium keeping.

Appearance and body structure

Aquarium crayfish has a chitinous durable shell that covers the body completely and protects it well, there is a mustache on the head for touch. In nature, they are dark green in color. In the oral cavity are rounded teeth designed for grinding food. Black eyes planted on long stems look interesting. Pincers have several functional purposes: they help you move, grab prey and defend yourself from enemies.

The tail has several segments and is rounded at the end. The average body length is about 13 cm, but there are also giant species up to 50 cm long.

Crayfish are very calm by nature, but they prefer loneliness and zealously protect their nest, because of which they can fight. If there is not enough shelter in the aquarium, then they begin to dig holes with their legs and tail.

Moulting

An interesting feature of such unusual animals is periodic molting, i.e. shedding their shell and the subsequent hardening of a new one. The frequency of this procedure depends on age: young molt up to 8 times a year, adults - 1-2. The duration of molting in young people is several minutes, in adults - several days.

During the change of the chitin-calcium shell, crayfish eat poorly and hide, waiting for the new shell to harden. Sometimes during such a period problems arise that can end in death. It is not necessary to remove the discarded shell, because the ownerit is usually eaten on its own, making up for the lack of calcium in the body.

Maintenance of aquarium crayfish

At home, crayfish prefer fairly large aquariums with fresh water, in which it is necessary to regularly replace it. 1 individual usually accounts for 15-40 liters of volume, depending on the variety and size. It is imperative to install an internal filter (they can climb out on the outside) and clean the bottom, because. at the bottom there is an accumulation of food residues, in which pathogenic bacteria can start.

For all types of crayfish in an aquarium, it is imperative to provide for various shelters that they actively improve: sometimes they bury them and then rake them back. Various pipes, grottoes and caves are placed on top of the ground, which will serve as shelter. In such a shelter, they often spend up to 15 hours a day. Especially important will be a place where you can hide during the molting period, when the new shell has not yet hardened. Sometimes this period lasts up to 10 days.

Water and aquarium setup

All varieties of aquarium crayfish love hard water (pH 7-8.5, hardness 10-15º dH), which they need to restore the shell shell during molting. They do not tolerate the presence of ammonia and chlorine in the water, so before filling the tank it must be defended or use dechlorinators.

The optimal temperature for crayfish is in the range of 18-26 ºС, they tolerate its increase or decreasevery bad. Therefore, on hot days, cooling may be required. Every month it is necessary to replace 0.25-0.5 parts of the water in the aquarium, and for some species even weekly. Moreover, such a replacement often stimulates the inhabitants to start molting.

When arranging an aquarium, it should be possible for crayfish to rise to the surface, for example, when there is a lack of oxygen. Why tall plants are planted, stones are laid out below. However, be sure to cover the container with a lid or glass, otherwise the tenants will scatter around the room.

Crayfish usually escape under the influence of negative conditions:

• contaminated water;
• overpopulation in the "house";
• the influence of aggressive neighbors.

Soil and plants

Soil is poured into the aquarium with a thickness of at least 6 cm, given the love of crustaceans for digging holes. Pebbles are selected in different sizes, because. the inhabitants will take them with pincers. You can use sea pebbles, expanded clay or special soil, which is sold in stores.

Plants are selected with a strong root system (cryptocorina, aponogeton, etc.), taking into account the love of crayfish to dig underground holes. However, they do not need to be fed, as crustaceans cannot stand the presence of chemical additives in the water.

Crayfish food

The basis of their diet in nature is plant foods and plankton. Solving the problem of what to feed aquarium crayfish in captivity is easy. Speci alty stores sell special food for crustaceans in granules andpills that sink to the bottom: Tetra, MOSURA, Dennerle, etc.

In addition, they are given other types of food:

• beef hearts or minced meat;
• fish fillet and shrimp (fresh or frozen);
• vegetables (lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, spinach, nettles, carrots), various aquarium plants;
• bloodworm, brine shrimp.

In order to improve digestion, it is recommended to give dried leaves of oak, beech and alder, which also protect their body from the appearance of parasites.

Feed should be 1 time per day in small quantities. The optimal feeding time is in the evening, when the crayfish go out for the night "hunt". The fish adjacent to them are already less active at such hours and will not be able to deprive them of food, snatching it out from under their noses.

Crayfish varieties, family Parastacidae

It is not recommended to keep common crayfish at home with fish, because. they are able to eat them, and spoil or pull out the plants. However, there are types of aquarium crayfish bred by breeders that are intended specifically for keeping and breeding by amateur aquarists.

The largest species belong to the Parastacidae family:

Australian red claw (Cherax quadricarinatus) - in nature lives in New Guinea and Australia in irrigation canals, ponds and small rivers, it is completely undemanding to conditions. The size of the shell is up to 20 cm, weight - up to 500 g, but in aquariums they do not grow to such indicators. The body is blue with yellow specks; in males, the joints between the tail segments are red,orange or blue color, claws - powerful and large. Sexually mature individuals have a cherry-red protrusion on the claws, for which they received the name. Ideal conditions for them would be: 150 liters for 2 individuals, water with a high pH level of 20-24 ºС. It is recommended to fill a layer of soil more, placing a lot of shelters (snags, pipes, pots, etc.). Diet: Vegetables, oak and beech leaves, dry food, snails, earthworms, frozen fish

• Zebra crayfish (Cherax papuanus) - an inhabitant of New Guinean water bodies, size - up to 15 cm, color - striped. Representatives of this species are friendlier, they can live even with small fish and shrimps. However, they like to dig everything up, pulling out the plants along with the roots. Lifestyle - nocturnal, hiding during the day. You can add fruits and vegetables to your diet.
• Blue (Cherax tenuimanus) is a South Australian species, but its size (up to 40 cm) suggests keeping only in large containers (up to 400 l) with a temperature regime of +15 … +24 ºС. Especially colorful are bright blue specimens that are active even in the daytime.

Procambarus family: aquarium crayfish, photo and name

The following species belong to this family:

Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), living in the swamps of the American continent (Mexico and the southern states of the USA). Size - up to 15 cm. This species easily adapts to any home conditions and reproduces well, thanks to which arthropods in their homeland couldcapture most of the reservoirs, displacing its more peaceful inhabitants. Color - lilac-black with bright red spots, you can also find blue, pink, orange and red colors of the shell. For a pair of crustaceans, a 200-liter aquarium with a temperature of + 20-25 ºС is suitable, it tolerates an increase to +35 ºС and a cold snap to +5 ºС. However, males are very pugnacious, so they cannot be planted together. The diet consists of worms, bloodworms, tubifex, frozen fish, as well as tree leaves and peas, dry food

Florida blue (Procambarus alleni) - native to the swamps and lakes of Florida. Breeders brought out the usual brown color of crayfish with a bright blue shell, the length of which is not more than 10 cm. An aquarium of 100 liters with a water temperature of + 18-28 ºС at a pH of 6, 5-8 is suitable for keeping a pair. For this species, it is necessary to replace half the volume of water every week. Neighbors can be large fish, but two males cannot get along

Marble crayfish (Procambarus Sp., Marble crayfish), also called "Yabbi", has a beautiful shell pattern of brown and green spots that darkens and brightens as it matures. The size of the body is up to 15 cm. An original feature of the species is molting, in which the descended shell even has claws and whiskers, as well as their ability to reproduce without partners

Russian aquarists also keep broad-toed and thin-toed crayfish, which differ in sizepincers, but they rarely breed in captivity.

Dwarf species

Many crustacean lovers prefer to keep aquarium dwarf crayfish, they are very active and strong, adapt well to the conditions of detention. Such representatives of 10-legged are painted in bright colors and easily become decoration of decorative aquariums, they do not damage plants as much as large crayfish.

The most common species of the Cambarellus family are peaceful and can be kept together with other inhabitants:

Orange dwarf (Cambarellus patzcuarensis) or Mexican yellow Patzcuaro - reach a length of only 6 cm females and 4.5 - males, an ideal option for them would be a 70-liter container filled with plants and even fish. They have a pugnacious nature, therefore they are not settled with other species

• Marsh dwarf (Cambarellus Puer) is colored in gray or brown-red shades, dark lines run along the back in a dotted line or wave, in the center of the tail there is a dark spot. Females grow up to 4 cm, and males - up to 2 cm.
• Blue or baby (Cambarellus Diminutus) got its name for its minimal size (up to 2.5 cm) and peacefulness. The color is very spectacular: blue spots are scattered over a blue or green background, as can be seen in the photo of an aquarium crayfish of this species. It has an interesting feature: it changes color depending on the feed and water components.
• The Louisiana species (Cambarellus Shufeldtii) is the quietest and most secretive, the body is painted in shades from brown togray with chaotic spots and stripes. Females are more blue in color and size.
• Mexican crayfish zublifar (Cambarellus Montezumae) - painted in brown spots, sometimes longitudinal stripes running along the back or abdomen, length - up to 5 cm. This species is also active in the daytime, it can also be planted in common aquariums, but not with other decapods, so as not to fight. However, the content temperature is lower.

Dwarf crayfish get along well with fish, but it is better to select species that live in the middle and upper layers of the aquarium. It is not recommended to settle them with shrimp, because. they will eat them. Within a cancer family, conflicts can often flare up when dividing shelters if there are not enough of them.

Crayfish breeding

The mating procedure usually occurs immediately after the end of the molt. During the courtship dance, the couple makes movements with antennae and body, and the stronger male by force holds the female, who tries to escape at such a moment away. Fertilized individuals hide in shelter.

The further period of reproduction of aquarium crayfish depends entirely on favorable conditions and "maternal care". After 20 days of gestation, the female lays eggs directly on her paws (pleopods), attaching them with sticky threads under her tail. The number of eggs for different species can be 30-1500 pieces. To avoid aggression from other inhabitants, it is better to put the female in a separate container.

When will appearthe younger generation, the kids continue to hold on to their mother's abdomen. As they grow older, having survived the first molt, they begin to gradually acquire independence. For the comfort of the young in the aquarium, there should be more various stones, snags, for which they can hide. This will help them survive and avoid being attacked by stronger individuals, as due to uneven development, large rachata can eat the weak ones. During such a period, mother can already be placed in another container.

Diseases and pests of crayfish

Among crustacean pests:

• flatworms that get into the snail tank;
• leeches;
• green algae that attack the gills.

S alt baths are used for treatment, it is recommended to reduce the number of inhabitants in the tank.

Most common diseases:

• Shell disease - recognized during the molting period, when the new chitinous shell does not harden during the day; its cause is low water hardness and poor nutrition, as a result of which there is not enough calcium in the cancer body. For treatment, it is necessary to improve the conditions for keeping aquarium crayfish; as a preventive measure, drops for sea water with iodine, sold in a pet store (0.5 doses), are used.
• Plague is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Aphanomices astaci, which can kill all inhabitants of the aquarium. At first, the disease manifests itself as white, brown-red and black spots on the legs and shell, then there is a disorientation, a change in lifestyle to daytime, then lethargy in behavior, convulsions anddeath. There is no cure.
• Rusty blotch - transmitted by pathogenic fungi Mucedinaceae, which affect the upper integument, blood vessels and heart. Outwardly visible brown spots on the gills and abdomen. The risk group includes decapods with reduced immunity, kept in adverse conditions or after injuries.

Crayfish Compatibility

It is quite difficult to combine crayfish and fish in one aquarium, because many of their species can eat each other. This is especially easy for armored animals, which are capable of biting a small fish in half with their claws. Moreover, they go hunting at night, and in the morning the number of inhabitants in the aquarium may decrease sharply.

And large fish, such as cichlids, can easily break cancer, especially during the molting period, when the shell is not strong. Good compatibility of aquarium crayfish with fish is inherent only in dwarf species of 10-legged, which have a non-aggressive nature.

Dense vegetation in an aquarium is also not very suitable for crustaceans, which simply use it as food or dig it up. The only species that does not consume underwater flora is the Mexican pygmy.

The maintenance and breeding of aquarium crayfish is a very exciting process, which fans have been increasing in recent years. They are very interesting as objects of observation.