Sos....my Crayfish Seriously Ill

Please help me. My crayfish is seriously ill.

I got a baby pink Sakura crayfish one week ago. It was a very active and rather over smart one ( always alert and if you just move your finger, it darts backwards and hides for hours). It was very active and was eating normal ( I feed it shrimp pellets, it also eats moss and water sprite) until day before yesterday when the filter broke down. So I removed it from its 10 gallon aquarium and kept it in a container with water from the aquarium just above head. I repaired the filter after few hours and returned it to the former aquarium. It’s never eaten since and always darts back when I go near. From yesterday noon, it is very lethargic. It is just hiding somewhere either in the filter ( mind you, there is something weird about my filter and crayfishes. They always squeeze themselves in the side of the filter and stay without moving for hours. I usually put sponges on side of filter.) but this being very small, squeezed itself on the side of the filter. So I got annoyed and just tried to get it off by touching it with the end of aquarium net when it darted back and swam frantically around the aquarium. Then , I blocked the sides of filter completely so that it could not penetrate inside. This happened yesterday evening. It walked around filter and sensing that it could not squeeze himself, settled under the vallinerias. It has never moved since. I dropped its food near, but no response. It has lost his appetite ever since ( he is sitting right next to water sprite). He barely moves.

Somebody please help me. Is it dying? I can’t let it because crayfishes are very rare in my country and especially, a pink one.

Is it something connected with the filter breakdown?

Or is it some strange behaviour?

Or is it molting? If yes , will it fail in molting and die because I changed it to a container during molting?
Also, how long will a crayfish take to molt after it loses appetite?

Somebody please help me. If it is going to die , I assume I will get a crayfish only after some years ( crayfish rarely available in Bahrain)

Any help from your side will be of great help

Attached a picture of it hiding among vallinesria

I sincerely hope that you can help

Gowtham

 

When you fixed the filter did you wash the whole thing with tap water or rinse the sponge? Also did you have an air supply in the bucket with the crayfish. I would attribute to an ammonia spike or possible low minerals in water for a molt

 

Thank you very much

I feel a new wave of hope

It was the filter impeller problem, I had a spare one and replaced it . I did not touch any other part of filter.

I kept the water in container just above it’s head and kept two stones with moss so that it could take air, though I never saw it taking air. It did not eat the moss and was sleeping, I suppose.

Ammonia is zero. About mineral, I did not do anything. But it was active before and ate plants and shrimp pellets.

Will it survive?

Is it the molt problem? if yes, how long should I wait?

Please do keep in touch

Thanking you

Gowtham

 

I'm not sure about what gH is needed for crayfish but I know my shrimp like it 5 to 8. I was having some die off after a week or two with only partial shell molts found. Found out my nano tank was a gH of 1 and my regular was a gH of 4. Got some gH salty shrimp and has made them better. Unfortunately I wish I could help you more. Also it's up in the air of if it will survive. I hope it does!

 

Thank you very much

I also hope it does. The water is from a oasis in Bahrain ( that’s what they say).

One more question, how long should I wait to confirm if it is the molt problem?

Do you have any experience?

Maybe it’s just scared or something, I hope

 

I'm not sure about what gH is needed for crayfish but I know my shrimp like it 5 to 8. I was having some die off after a week or two with only partial shell molts found. Found out my nano tank was a gH of 1 and my regular was a gH of 4. Got some gH salty shrimp and has made them better. Unfortunately I wish I could help you more. Also it's up in the air of if it will survive. I hope it does![/QUOTE

I hope I have not lost contact with you

New update:

It was sitting in the same posture for almost 12 hours so I poked it with the end of a chopstick. And he darted backwards like a rocket. Then I added a hidding place next to the filter. Today, when I woke up, I saw him move the new hiding decoration from the filter and sitting between the filter and decoration ( as I said, my filter is super wired, all crayfishes are attracted towards it as if it is a magnet). I fed him two shrimp pellets and he ate them ( he was very suspicious and only ate it after I left the room. I know it because when I came back, I saw him hold a pellet and stuff it into his mouth). So at least we can relax that he ate something. Then after breakfast, I again saw him in the same place same position under the vallisnerias as he was yesterday, not moving. He was exactly like he was yesterday; I thought I travelled back time.

So, is it some strange behaviour ?
(He gets 10/10 in beauty but 0/10 in behaviour)

Or is it pre-molt behaviour?

Please reply

Sincerely,

Gowtham

Attached current photo

I hope I have not lost contact with you

New update:

It was sitting in the same posture for almost 12 hours so I poked it with the end of a chopstick. And he darted backwards like a rocket. Then I added a hidding place next to the filter. Today, when I woke up, I saw him move the new hiding decoration from the filter and sitting between the filter and decoration ( as I said, my filter is super wired, all crayfishes are attracted towards it as if it is a magnet). I fed him two and he ate them ( he was very suspicious and only ate it after I left the room. I know it because when I came back, I saw him hold a pellet and stuff it into his mouth). So at least we can relax that he ate something. Then after breakfast, I again saw him in the same place same position under the vallisnerias as he was yesterday, not moving. He was exactly like he was yesterday; I thought I travelled back time.

So, is it some strange behaviour ?
(He gets 10/10 in beauty but 0/10 in behaviour)

Or is it pre-molt behaviour?

Please reply

Sincerely,

Gowtham

Thank you very much

I also hope it does. The water is from a oasis in Bahrain ( that’s what they say).

One more question, how long should I wait to confirm if it is the molt problem?

Do you have any experience?

Maybe it’s just scared or something, I hope

 

well since he ate some its usually a good sign. But if he does molt you will see a thick shell off to the side. just keep an eye on the ammonia levels

 

well since he ate some its usually a good sign. But if he does molt you will see a thick shell off to the side. just keep an eye on the ammonia levels

HaI there,

You said if he is going to molt there will be shell off to side. I didn’t understand. Can you please explain it? Is there some physical characteristics which these creatures exhibit when going to molt? One guy in YouTube said that there will be a gap between tail and thorax. I did not quite understand. Link:

Or search crayfish shedding in YouTube

About ammonia, it is zero. But I did not do any water change as I read that if we change water parameters before molt, it will lead to pre-molt deaths.

Well, it is still in hinding; same posture, not moving; among the vallisnerias

How long will it take for a cray to molt after it stops eating and starts hiding?

 

Could be starting the hiding habit soon. Every crayfish molts at different times because they molt more often when small. So I'm not too sure about the hiding. But if he stops eating for a few days and stays inside the hiding spot then he may do it soon.
The shell is what's left. It actually looks like a dead crayfish

 

Thank you very much for your kind support,

I suppose the only option is to wait. I will try to feed it the same food ()
because she didn't eat vegetables when I gave it to her before this problem started.

Time will tell us the truth.

 

Crayfish usually reduce their eating behaviour when they’re getting ready to molt. Mine also reduces its activity and finds a place to hide, in my case a group of rocks which he can hide under. This process can take a day to several weeks. Another sign that your crayfish is very close to molting is that you can see the back end of his exoskeleton (close to where his tail begins) seems to ‘crack open’ and you’ll see the new exoskeleton right under it. This is when I know for sure they’re about to molt and usually they do a few hours later.

Since you only have him for such a short amount of time it could be that he’s still trying to get used to his new environment. The fact that he eats well is a good sign and I don’t see any signs of an illness on the picture. Try to give him some time. Watch your parametres and make sure you remove all the food he doesn’t eat. Good luck!

 

Dear gentle sir,

Thank you very much for your information. Now I have 60 percentage hope that it is going to molt. As this is the first molt I have ever seen ( although I kept 2 crayfishes before), I have doubts about seeing the back end of exoskeleton cracking open. If I send a picture, will you be kind enough to confirm it? Will send it within 2 hours.

Thanking you

 

Sure thing, but it's unlikely that's the case since when you see the back end cracking open the crayfsh has basically already started with molting. I am just saying, if you see it happening, you know he'll be ready to molt. It's difficult to predict at an earlier stage. The only things that can make you suspect he'll be molting soon are reduced activity, reduced appetite and the fact that he hides more than usual. With my crayfish I usually notice this change in behaviour 2-3 days before he actually molts but I've heard that it can go on for weeks depending on the crayfish.

 

Sounds like normal crayfish behavior to me. Try not bothering him for a few days. If you keep touching him when he tries to hide, it's just gonna cause him stress. You have to let crays do their thing : )

 

Sure thing, but it's unlikely that's the case since when you see the back end cracking open the crayfsh has basically already started with molting. I am just saying, if you see it happening, you know he'll be ready to molt. It's difficult to predict at an earlier stage. The only things that can make you suspect he'll be molting soon are reduced activity, reduced appetite and the fact that he hides more than usual. With my crayfish I usually notice this change in behaviour 2-3 days before he actually molts but I've heard that it can go on for weeks depending on the crayfish.

I also think so. Anyway, here is a photo.

I could not send it yesterday. He wasn’t cooperating

 

Sounds like normal crayfish behavior to me. Try not bothering him for a few days. If you keep touching him when he tries to hide, it's just gonna cause him stress. You have to let crays do their thing : )

Dear madam,

I strongly agree with you. Maybe he’s just scared. Yesterday night , when I came back, he was out of the vals and out in the middle of the tank. As soon as he saw me, he squeezed himself between filter and the PVC. And there is strong evidence that he is eating something. One of the moss stones were dragged from the left side to right side. The bottom of the anarchis were gone. Some val runners were floating. So, he is getting more and more nocturnal. Also, today morning, he was sitting between the pvc and filter. As soon as she saw me, he turned to the other side. After few mins, he was digging the substrate in the same place. I was curious and came to look, as soon as she saw me, she walked sideways and got under the vals. He was out after some time but then something scared her ( I don’t know clearly, I saw her walking around towards the filter. After one minute, he was freaked out and was darting all around the tank). Currently, he is under the vals, same posture, not moving. Since all these problems stated after the filter breakdown, it is confusing to say what exactly is bothering her. But before the breakdown, she was so friendly and whenever I came near the tank and tapped the glass, she used to come out of hiding place. I would drop some pellets and she would eat it. Now, when I come near the tank and do the same, she darts back, goes under the vals or doesn’t even notice.

So, let her settle down, I am letting her by herself for one week. There is no need to feed her as there are live plants. After one week, we can see.

What do you think?

Sincerely,

Gowtham

 

Greetings everyone,

There is something of concern. When I looked at the underside of my crayfish, there are small dots. They are moving. There size will be approximately 1/4 of a full stop and when I looked carefully enough, I saw them moving. I couldn't get a clear picture. I is some kind of parasites, I suppose, they are definitely not offsprings. And they are spread across the underside of my dear crayfish. I searched the Web, but no information. Does anyone know anything about it? Will try to upload pictures. Maybe there are the real trouble makers.

I sincerely hope that you can solve this problem,
Awaiting your early response,
Gowtham

 

Could you post a picture?

 

Could you post a picture?

Thank you very much for the message

Sure, currently she is not cooperating. He is in the same place same posture as he was yesterday. He is more like a machine nowadays, same posture and same activities and same places. Will try picture tomorrow.

Gowtham

 

Good morning,

Here is a picture of it’s underside.

There are black spots spread across. If you look carefully, you can see them moving. What are they? Are they trouble?

Attached pictures

 

I am sorry I do not have experience with parasites and crayfish. But if they’re really moving then they surely aren’t supposed to be there.

 

I am sorry I do not have experience with parasites and crayfish. But if they’re really moving then they surely aren’t supposed to be there.

Okay, maybe all we can do is leave it by itself. I read in some sites about salt dip, though I don’t know what it is.

 

Does anyone know about salt dip? Or is it some kind of symbiotic relationship ?

His diet is coming to normal. He ate some spinach leaves. Is is also comparatively much active.

But she is still scared and has those back moving dots

 

Can you give a full picture of the tank

Please

 

Did you treat for parasites when you got him?

 

Did you treat for parasites when you got him?

No I didn’t, I wasn’t aware

Please

Thank you
Here’s a picture, It is 10g, with filter, sand and gravel and live plants. I have reduced the lighting hours and slowly it is getting more active. However, there is no improvement in her behaviour, she eats rarely and is still scared. The parasites are still there.

 

Crayfish should be kept in 20 gallon tanks or larger in my opinion (exept for mexican dwarf crayfish ofc). I have another question, how much time a day do you leave the lights on?

 

8 hours