In this blog, we’ll talk about the best fish tank for a crayfish.
If you have a pet crayfish or think you might want to get one, you will definitely need a fish tank for your cray.
However, some tanks are better than others. And there are several factors that determine which tank will work best for your pet crayfish and how you plan to set up your tank.
Determining What is the Best Fish Tank for Your Crayfish
In this blog, I’ll talk about the factors you should consider before buying a tank for your crayfish.
Factors to consider when looking for the best tank for your crayfish:
- Keeping Other Fish
- Keeping Other Crayfish
- Tank Size
- How Much Do You Want to Spend
Will You Keep Other Fish with Your Pet Crayfish?
If you plan on keeping other freshwater fish with your pet crayfish, a 10-gallon tank could work if you were going to keep maybe one other fish, but I would highly suggest at least a 20-gallon tank.
For one, crayfish are aggressive omnivores and would love nothing more than to eat the other fish in your tank. A 20-gallon tank will provide enough room for a crayfish and a couple of other fish, if they are the right type of fish, to live with your crayfish.
Will You Keep Other Crayish with Your Pet Crayfish?
If you plan on adding another crayfish to your tank, you will definitely be pushing it with a 10-gallon tank and even a 20-gallon fish tank.
Actually, chances are very likely that they will fight a good bit or one will eat the other. I know, sick right. For this reason, you’d most likely want to purchase a 50-gallon fish tank. That would be the best fish tank for keeping two crayfish. Trust me, I had to learn the hard way.
Also, remember to get a “hideout” for each crayfish.
A hideout can be something as simple as a piece of PVC pipe or something you buy at the pet store that allows your crayfish to burrow and hide.
They will need this when they molt or shed their exoskeleton. This is something I’ll discuss later.
Crayfish are Dirty Animals
As I’ve said before, in other posts, crayfish are very dirty animals. They live in mud for crying out loud.
Crayfish also put out a lot of waste. This means they can dirty up your fish tank pretty quickly, and make the tank toxic and nasty for other fish.
If your tank is too small, it will get dirty pretty fast. So if you are thinking about purchasing one of the really small desktop fish tanks for your crayfish, I wouldn’t recommend it (see above).
Again, the minimum size tank I recommend is 20 gallons for one single crayfish and a few other fish, if you keep the right fish and clean your tank on a regular basis.
20-Gallon Fish Tank is the Best
After owning crayfish for several years, personally, I recommend at least a 20-gallon fish tank if you are going to keep one crayfish. This makes managing the tank easier. And, if you decide to add other fish, you have room.
Remember, with a 20-gallon tank, I’d recommend changing 25% of the water, once every two weeks. Doing this should keep the tank clean and healthy-looking. I do this and also keep three other fish with my crayfish.
PRO TIP: Keep your fish tank away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can trigger some bad algae growth in your tank.
What is the Best 20-Gallon Aquarium?
Water Filter Changes
Along with the right size fish tank and regular water changes, you should pay attention to your tank’s water filters.
Personally, I change mine every month unless it is just abnormally dirty. Then I rinse the same filter two weeks after replacement with cold water and put it back in the tank.
Having the right size tank is just a piece of the puzzle with owning a pet crayfish. Doing proper water changes and maintaining the tank’s filter is also essential.
Cost of Your Crayfish Tank
Finding an affordable crayfish tank is actually pretty easy. Especially if you purchase a 10 or 20-gallon tank kit. The kits come with everything you need to get your tank up and running. You can spend anywhere from 60 to 150 bucks or more on average.
Be sure to check out our recommended crayfish tanks above.