Crawfish in need of help!

[[email protected]]

Hi All,

Well, I was hiking one day (I live in Huntsville, AL) and I noticed
tiny "lobsters" in a stream. Brown colored, about 1" long, like little
miniature lobsters. I have a few fish in a small 5 Gal tank at home and
I thought a small crawfish like that would help "clean" whatever flakes
the fish didn't eat.

It worked out great for the first few weeks, the crawfish molted the
day I put it into the tank (which freaked me out) but then the tiny
thing started to explore the tank, climbing artificial plants and
hanging out. He would turn tiny rocks over and look for food. He would
use his many legs to touch the bottom and get any flakes he could find.

I was very happy because he looked like he was adapting quite well, he
didn't pay attention to the fish or acted weird. One day, I though the
crawfish had lost his legs because I didn't see them and he couldn't
balance himself. He tried to walk but we would stumble and turn belly
up to later regain balance and try to walk. I was thinking that my fish
(all very small less than an inch long) had attacked him and well...
dismembered the poor thing. As I looked closer, his legs were all there
but they are all bunched up against his body. They moved a little but
they are all bent inwards in a very weird manner!

At first, I thought he was molting again but, a few weeks have passed
and his legs are still weird. The funny thing is that the rest of his
body, claws and antennas, are perfectly okay. Could it be a calcium
deficiency or excess? I have no idea what to do, I feel bad for the
little thing. I have before and after photos if you need them.

Does anyone have any ideas? Help or leads? I tried looking online for
Crayfish illnesses but, I can't find anything of the sorts!

[[email protected]]

Anyone? The crashfish is still alive but the clock is ticking down...

[blove]

what is the original post? i dont see it? whats wrong with the crayfish?
> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Anyone? The crashfish is still alive but the clock is ticking down...
>

[Elaine T]

wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Well, I was hiking one day (I live in Huntsville, AL) and I noticed
> tiny "lobsters" in a stream. Brown colored, about 1" long, like little
> miniature lobsters. I have a few fish in a small 5 Gal tank at home and
> I thought a small crawfish like that would help "clean" whatever flakes
> the fish didn't eat.
>
> It worked out great for the first few weeks, the crawfish molted the
> day I put it into the tank (which freaked me out) but then the tiny
> thing started to explore the tank, climbing artificial plants and
> hanging out. He would turn tiny rocks over and look for food. He would
> use his many legs to touch the bottom and get any flakes he could find.
>
> I was very happy because he looked like he was adapting quite well, he
> didn't pay attention to the fish or acted weird. One day, I though the
> crawfish had lost his legs because I didn't see them and he couldn't
> balance himself. He tried to walk but we would stumble and turn belly
> up to later regain balance and try to walk. I was thinking that my fish
> (all very small less than an inch long) had attacked him and well...
> dismembered the poor thing. As I looked closer, his legs were all there
> but they are all bunched up against his body. They moved a little but
> they are all bent inwards in a very weird manner!
>
> At first, I thought he was molting again but, a few weeks have passed
> and his legs are still weird. The funny thing is that the rest of his
> body, claws and antennas, are perfectly okay. Could it be a calcium
> deficiency or excess? I have no idea what to do, I feel bad for the
> little thing. I have before and after photos if you need them.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas? Help or leads? I tried looking online for
> Crayfish illnesses but, I can't find anything of the sorts!
>
Replying so blove can see the original post.

--
__ Elaine T __
><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><

[CanadianCray]

Is this the same person posting on Fish-Forums.com??? If so your tank is WAY
too warm for a native crayfish. 72F is an absolute MAX should be around
65-68 though.

--
Craig Williams

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
t...
> wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Well, I was hiking one day (I live in Huntsville, AL) and I noticed
>> tiny "lobsters" in a stream. Brown colored, about 1" long, like little
>> miniature lobsters. I have a few fish in a small 5 Gal tank at home and
>> I thought a small crawfish like that would help "clean" whatever flakes
>> the fish didn't eat.
>>
>> It worked out great for the first few weeks, the crawfish molted the
>> day I put it into the tank (which freaked me out) but then the tiny
>> thing started to explore the tank, climbing artificial plants and
>> hanging out. He would turn tiny rocks over and look for food. He would
>> use his many legs to touch the bottom and get any flakes he could find.
>>
>> I was very happy because he looked like he was adapting quite well, he
>> didn't pay attention to the fish or acted weird. One day, I though the
>> crawfish had lost his legs because I didn't see them and he couldn't
>> balance himself. He tried to walk but we would stumble and turn belly
>> up to later regain balance and try to walk. I was thinking that my fish
>> (all very small less than an inch long) had attacked him and well...
>> dismembered the poor thing. As I looked closer, his legs were all there
>> but they are all bunched up against his body. They moved a little but
>> they are all bent inwards in a very weird manner!
>>
>> At first, I thought he was molting again but, a few weeks have passed
>> and his legs are still weird. The funny thing is that the rest of his
>> body, claws and antennas, are perfectly okay. Could it be a calcium
>> deficiency or excess? I have no idea what to do, I feel bad for the
>> little thing. I have before and after photos if you need them.
>>
>> Does anyone have any ideas? Help or leads? I tried looking online for
>> Crayfish illnesses but, I can't find anything of the sorts!
>>
> Replying so blove can see the original post.
>
> --
> __ Elaine T __
> ><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><

[blove]

thanks for postin the original. I have no idea, cant help ya sorry.


"Elaine T" > wrote in message
t...
> wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Well, I was hiking one day (I live in Huntsville, AL) and I noticed
>> tiny "lobsters" in a stream. Brown colored, about 1" long, like little
>> miniature lobsters. I have a few fish in a small 5 Gal tank at home and
>> I thought a small crawfish like that would help "clean" whatever flakes
>> the fish didn't eat.
>>
>> It worked out great for the first few weeks, the crawfish molted the
>> day I put it into the tank (which freaked me out) but then the tiny
>> thing started to explore the tank, climbing artificial plants and
>> hanging out. He would turn tiny rocks over and look for food. He would
>> use his many legs to touch the bottom and get any flakes he could find.
>>
>> I was very happy because he looked like he was adapting quite well, he
>> didn't pay attention to the fish or acted weird. One day, I though the
>> crawfish had lost his legs because I didn't see them and he couldn't
>> balance himself. He tried to walk but we would stumble and turn belly
>> up to later regain balance and try to walk. I was thinking that my fish
>> (all very small less than an inch long) had attacked him and well...
>> dismembered the poor thing. As I looked closer, his legs were all there
>> but they are all bunched up against his body. They moved a little but
>> they are all bent inwards in a very weird manner!
>>
>> At first, I thought he was molting again but, a few weeks have passed
>> and his legs are still weird. The funny thing is that the rest of his
>> body, claws and antennas, are perfectly okay. Could it be a calcium
>> deficiency or excess? I have no idea what to do, I feel bad for the
>> little thing. I have before and after photos if you need them.
>>
>> Does anyone have any ideas? Help or leads? I tried looking online for
>> Crayfish illnesses but, I can't find anything of the sorts!
>>
> Replying so blove can see the original post.
>
> --
> __ Elaine T __
> ><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><