Bleu The Crayfish.

[Tubby0512]

I have a pet crayfish now. Just got him/her today. It is blue so I named it Bleu (a French word for blue). Right now its moving it rocks in front of it cave so he can hide. I will post a picture later.

[Mentat]

Hi Jessica! They are great pets; but be aware are extremely sensitive to many fish meds. Anything leaching from a decoration (even if washed and rinsed well) can kill them.

I learned that hard lesson after reusing a clay pot that had been in a few tanks. My blue crayfish had outgrown his hideout, so I replaced it with a larger one. Couple days later it died of no apparent reason . After thinking about it for a while figured out were the clay pot had been last, and that I had treated that tank for parasites. Good luck with yours !

[Tubby0512]

Speaking of dead. I walked into my room to feed Bleu and I saw him in the corner. He was dead. I was so sad so I went to bury him. My oldest sister said she would clean the tank out for me. Well come to find out Bleu didn't die. That little stinker shed his exoskeleton and I thought he was dead. He was hiding underneath his rocks with his pebble covering him. This happened today. He is so cute and clean.

[Tubby0512]

Quick question. How can you tell if a crayfish is male or female?

[Gnag the nameless]

Honestly not sure, although I'd assume females are larger than males. Perhaps males have larger pincers than females?

I'm going to have to do a bit o' research on that for ya'

Update:

You might want to check out this page and contact Blue Lobster on information as how to tell the gender of your crayfish:
Dear Blue Lobster: How Can I Tell My Cray's Gender?

[Tubby0512]

sweet thanks ill take a peek.

[Mentat]

In the Blue's, if you look at a tank full; the undamaged males in general will show one larger claw. I state undamaged because if a male lost main claw in fight, etc. the replacement claw will be smaller for a few molts and it will look like a female. I can't tell; but experienced keepers can sex some crayfish species by observing difference between male and female vent location.

Molting is very cool to watch. The old molt will separate dorsally and the crayfish will kick it off body by moving tail. Once it's off, the crayfish will do "body stretching" before new skeleton hardens, and at that moment you can actually see it grow .

[Tubby0512]

sadly Bleu died. I was gone and my mom acedently left my door open and my cat got a hold of him. She ate half of him :'(

[Mentat]

Sorry for Bleu's death Jessica ... bad cat !

[Tubby0512]

It was horriable. stupid cat.