TankBud

Electric blue crayfish

Procambarus alleni

Also known as Blue crayfish, Florida crayfish

FreshwaterCrayfish

Electric blue crayfish (Procambarus alleni)
A Captain D · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–81°F
20–27°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Own kind
One per tank
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg carrier · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Cambaridae
Origin
Florida, USA

Overview

The electric blue crayfish is a territorial bottom dweller that suits a tank of its own. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

A molt is the most dangerous time in an electric blue crayfish's life. It sheds its whole shell to grow, then hides soft and defenseless for a day or two while the new shell hardens. It often eats the cast-off shell afterward to reclaim the calcium for the next one.

Caring for the electric blue crayfish

Keep one electric blue crayfish per tank, in 20 gal (75 L) or more. Give it a sand or fine gravel bottom it can burrow into, with plenty of caves and hides. Add driftwood or rockwork to break up sight lines, and fit a secure lid, since it will climb out.

Keep the water at 68 to 81°F (20 to 27°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Hard water with calcium in it supports clean molts, so do not strip the minerals out. Feed sinking pellets, blanched vegetables and the occasional meaty food.

It is very territorial and cannibalistic, especially around molts, so two in the same tank will fight until one is eaten. It will catch and eat small fish, shrimp and snails. The only reasonably safe tank mates are fast mid and top water fish that stay out of reach.

It breeds easily in the tank. The female carries eggs and then tiny crayfish under her tail until they drop off and fend for themselves.

Good to know

The electric blue crayfish, Procambarus alleni, is a crayfish in the family Cambaridae. Its bright blue is a selectively bred form, not the wild coloration. With good care, it lives several years.

In the wild

The electric blue crayfish comes from the slow streams, ponds, swamps and ditches of Florida. There it digs into soft bottoms and shelters among roots and debris.

Common questions

What size tank does an electric blue crayfish need?

An electric blue crayfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an electric blue crayfish need?

An electric blue crayfish is comfortable at 68–81°F (20–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does an electric blue crayfish eat?

An electric blue crayfish eats sinking pellets, blanched vegetables and the occasional meaty food. It will also catch and eat small fish, shrimp and snails.

How big does an electric blue crayfish get?

An adult electric blue crayfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

How does an electric blue crayfish breed?

Electric blue crayfish breed easily in the tank. The female carries her eggs and then tiny crayfish under her tail until they drop off and fend for themselves.

Related species