Breeding crayfish
1. If they are not already together, place a female in the males aquarium.
2. Mating usually starts within the first 5 minutes but be patient. The female does not usually initiate copulation, so the male will initiate copulation. As part of the mating process the male will flip the female over and mount. Occasionally one will lose a claw during the process but don't worry it will grow back. After mating, the female will carry eggs in pleopods which are abdominal parts that project from the body (Basically she caries them under her tail) The eggs will hatch in three to four weeks. If more than one crayfish is in the aquarium, the "berried" female must be removed when the larvae detach.
3. Place the brood in a smaller aquarium when the eggs hatch, This will prevent the parents from eating them. Also, change the water to aid the newborn crayfish, also known as fry. Keep the water as clean as possible, because during this time the fry must molt or shed its shell. Do not touch the crayfish when it sheds as it is fragile at this time.
4. Leave the molt (or sheded shell) in the aquarium so that the crayfish can eat it. The molt will provide calcium in their diet which will harden its shell.
5. Feed the crayfish freshly hatched brine shrimp, flake, pellets, liquefied foods or microworms. After about two weeks, the crayfish will still look transparent; however, they gain color as they reach sexual maturity.
Enjoy :)
2. Mating usually starts within the first 5 minutes but be patient. The female does not usually initiate copulation, so the male will initiate copulation. As part of the mating process the male will flip the female over and mount. Occasionally one will lose a claw during the process but don't worry it will grow back. After mating, the female will carry eggs in pleopods which are abdominal parts that project from the body (Basically she caries them under her tail) The eggs will hatch in three to four weeks. If more than one crayfish is in the aquarium, the "berried" female must be removed when the larvae detach.
3. Place the brood in a smaller aquarium when the eggs hatch, This will prevent the parents from eating them. Also, change the water to aid the newborn crayfish, also known as fry. Keep the water as clean as possible, because during this time the fry must molt or shed its shell. Do not touch the crayfish when it sheds as it is fragile at this time.
4. Leave the molt (or sheded shell) in the aquarium so that the crayfish can eat it. The molt will provide calcium in their diet which will harden its shell.
5. Feed the crayfish freshly hatched brine shrimp, flake, pellets, liquefied foods or microworms. After about two weeks, the crayfish will still look transparent; however, they gain color as they reach sexual maturity.
Enjoy :)