Not cichlids ;)

[SinisterKisses]

Anyone keep crays as well as cichlids? We have two - the blue cray is my boyfriend's, and the zebra/tiger cray is mine.

This is the blue cray, named Ghengis Prawn (because the boy thinks he's clever). He's absolutely massive. Was about 3" when we got him a little under 6 months ago, and now is about 7-8". Aggressive as heck too, and strong as heck.

 

[SinisterKisses]

And this is my zebra or tiger cray, depending on what you wanna call him. No where near as big as Ghengis, only about 4" long and not even half as beefy. But he's pretty hot.

 

[Big Vine]

Gorgeous crays---I especially like yours...gorgeous colors/pattern! *SUNSMILE*
I know I've said it before, but I think 'Ghengis Prawn' is a great name for your boyfriend's redclaw (which I believe is actually a female). I haven't seen the tigers around here, but I occasionally come across Australian RedClaws here and there. Someone over on the bluecrayfish forum recently mentioned how they're the most personable 'wet pet' type of crays they've ever had. I'd love to pick one up someday.

Are the crays each being housed alone, or do they have some tankmates in with them?
BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Which begs the question...how do you sex these things?

Ghengis lives with two white clouds at the moment...he had 6 but only 2 are left, lol. And my cray (I really should find a name for it) lives with a betta.

 

[Big Vine]

Just an FYI for anyone who may not already know this...
North American crays (the crays I keep) are sexed differently than Australian crays (the ones you've got).

Which begs the question...how do you sex these things?

On Australian RedClaws (Cherax quadricarinatus), you can usually tell by looking at the claws. Males' claws will be slightly thicker and have a reddish trim along the outer edges, whereas the females' claws won't have any of this red; they also tend to stay more slender.

But here's the sure-fire way of sexing them:
Cherax genders

This method of sexing should apply to your tiger as well.
BV

 

[MOsborne05]

That tiger cray is a beauty! I've never seen one like it before. Every time I go into the lfs I am tempted to pick up a blue cray, and the other day they had the blues, and some pure white ones that were labeled as 'snowball' crays. The white ones were gorgeous!

 

[SinisterKisses]

Lol well thanks BV...but that just made me more confused. If you say it's a girl, I'll go along with it

I haven't seen any white ones, but the store we got these two from did have what they called an "apricot" cray not long ago...totally a solid peach colour. Was kinda neat.

 

[FishGeek]

BEAUTIFUL!!! (as usual )

 

[TabMorte]

I never realized the little tiny tiny suckers in the pet store could grow up to be so gorgious! They really are adorable.

 

[SinisterKisses]

And big, too. Like I said, Ghengis is already at least 7", and apparently has some more growing to do.

Oh, and BV, you'll be happy to know that someone on another site has confirmed your suspicions that Ghengis is a girl

 

[Big Vine]

Oh, and BV, you'll be happy to know that someone on another site has confirmed your suspicions that Ghengis is a girl

Ha! Never doubted it for a second.

BV

 

[big54bob]

That tiger is a pimp.*SUPERSMIL

 

[Big Vine]

Hey SinisterKisses...hope you don't mind me adding some pics to this thread.
Besides, it's partly your fault that I'm adding them---well, your boyfriend's fault since it's his cray---well, maybe we should just blame 'Genghis Prawn' and leave it at that!

I was at Petland last night when I noticed this gorgeous Cherax quad.
Couldn't resist going back this morning and picking him up. Genghis Prawn eat your heart out...

He's got some damage on his claws along with what appears to be some minor shell rot, but that should all clear up once he moults.

I'm so excited to have my very first Cherax wet pet!
BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Okay, since I'm too lazy to go back to the first page, is he the male version of Ghengis, or is he a different species (the North American one?)

He's pretty cool, was gonna ask about his claw cause it looks like it has a hole in it, but you already answered that bit.

 

[Big Vine]

Yes, the male version of Ghengis (Australian RedClaw).
And yeah, each of his claws has a puncture wound in it. Probably from the other male (larger, but not as nice-looking) he was being housed with at the store. There was a female in there as well, but she was missing a claw.

BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Hmm. I've never seen one (and there have been lots of blue crays around here lately) with the red on the claws. Do they get that as they age, or are they born with it?

 

[Big Vine]

I'm not sure about that, but I'd have to guess that they get it from a very young age anyway. If I remember to ask about it over on the blue crayfish forum I'll be sure to post back here with a more definitive answer for you. I'm curious to find out too.

I haven't seen male quads around here either. Even the females I only see occasionally, at best. I've always been curious about owning one, and it became a no-brainer once I heard about how personable they can be. Seeing your pics of Ghengis Prawn helped fuel my desire to get one, and seeing a male---well---that did it once and for all! I just had to get one!

So...thanks for the inspiration, SK and Ms. Ghengis Prawn.
I don't think I'll ever top that name your boyfriend picked out---I love it! *laughingc

BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Lol oh get over it all ready

I'm glad we could help inspire you some more I'll have to see if I can figure out how to pick out a male of the right species, and keep an eye out. Know anything about breeding them?

 

[Big Vine]

I'll have to see if I can figure out how to pick out a male of the right species, and keep an eye out. Know anything about breeding them?

Yes, but not nearly as much as I know about N. American crays.
I highly recommend checking out the Bluecrayfish.com forum. It deals primarily with N. American crays, but there are others there who keep (and have bred, if I'm not mistaken) Australian Redclaws. I'd suggest Crayfishmates.com - All the Crayfish, Crawfish and Crustacean Info You Need. as a first choice if it weren't for the fact that they've been having some technical difficulties (hacking, apparently ) as of late. It is Australian-based, and the webmaster there raises/breeds Australian Redclaws on a large scale. I'm gonna go check it out again soon and see if the forum there is in working order or not.

As far as making sure you get a male of the right species...
Just look for anything with red on the outside of its claws (like in my pics). Other than the red and slightly thicker claws, it will look pretty much identical to Ghengis Prawn.

Hope that steers you in the right direction...
Definitely keep us posted if you end up trying to breed them!

BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

All right, thanks! I'll definitely have to start keeping an eye out.