Crayfish care

Water temperature

65–77°F

A crayfish wants water at 65–77°F, pH 6.5–8, and a tank of 20 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include goldfish, paradise fish, zebra danios.

Catches sleeping fish, cuts plants and climbs out of open tanks.

Procambarus clarkii

pH

6.5–8

Minimum tank

20 gal

Adult size

5.0 in

Temperament

Aggressive

Group

One per tank

Lifespan

2–5 years

Swims at

Bottom

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• GoldfishYes
• Paradise fishYes
• Zebra danioYes
• Gold barbYes
• Pea pufferYes
• Fancy goldfishYes
• Rosy barbYes
• GuppyYes
• Dojo loachYes
• White cloud minnowYes
• Blue gouramiYes
• PlatyYes

Full crayfish tank mate chart: 70 yes, 11 with care, 17 no

Crayfish water compared

Fish to keep away from crayfish

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); crayfish need 65–77°F. They overlap only at 65–66°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Cherry shrimp Crayfish hunt shrimp. Adult cherry shrimp will be eaten.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
• Mystery snail Crayfish hunt snails, so mystery snails will be eaten.
• Ghost shrimp Crayfish hunt shrimp. Adult ghost shrimp will be eaten.
• Amano shrimp Crayfish hunt shrimp. Adult amano shrimp will be eaten.
• Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
• Ramshorn snail Crayfish hunt snails, so ramshorn snails will be eaten.

More shrimp

• Cherry shrimp65–80°F
• Ghost shrimp65–82°F
• Amano shrimp70–80°F
• Bamboo shrimp72–82°F