Red Claw Crayfish.

[Chi Ma]

So, I hate fish. Well, eating them anyways. So I had to find something that I like to eat. In comes Mr. Red Claw Crayfish <--click link. Vegeterian, non territorial, prolific breeder, gets to 1.25 pounds. Sounds good to me! So I went in search of the elusive Red Claw. There were only a few people that carry them 2 here in California and one I found in Florida. The one in Florida is the only one that bothered returning my call and answering my E-mails. So they get my business. The place is called Stick Fins Fish Farm <--click link. I ordered them last week they shipped yesterday via USPS Express Mail and arrived alive and happy 11 A.M. at my doorstep. I highly recommend Stick Fins!

 

 

Here are some pics:

I love presents!

 Arrived packaged well. Styrofoam box, care sheet, heat packs, double bagged with ammonia reducer pellets.

 

Yummy!

In a quarantine tank til spring

This is a "small breeder".

[Moses Gonzales]

Chi,

How are your crays doing?  Any idea how long before they breed?

 

 

 

[Chi Ma]

They have already bred. Keeping the females in quarantine now until they drop the babies. Shouldn't be too long now til I see some babies.

Moses Gonzales said:

Chi,

How are your crays doing?  Any idea how long before they breed?

 

 

 

[Moses Gonzales]

Very cool.  Looking forward to seeing the pics!

[Robert Magnes]

Man they do look good. I wish they were legal to have in Texas. I checked into them a while back and according to Texas Parks and Wildlife rules section 57.111 under Prohibited Shellfish. I guess if they got out they could become invasive and push out the native crayfish. Natives do not get anywhere near the size these guys get.

[Chi Ma]

I never knew male Red Claws can get prego. Gender bender!

 

If you look at the male's reflection you'll see the baby crays.

 

[Gary Searle]

Is it possible you have a female with a red claw or have you sexed it by boy/girl parts? Nature sometimes throws us a curve to keep us on our toes. I've seen a Whitetail deer doe with antlers.

 

Edit: BTW I blame you for my recent Red Claw obsession. LOL

[Chi Ma]

I'll check "Pat" out after it drops its babies.

Gary Searle said:

Is it possible you have a female with a red claw or have you sexed it by boy/girl parts? Nature sometimes throws us a curve to keep us on our toes. I've seen a Whitetail deer doe with antlers.

 

Edit: BTW I blame you for my recent Red Claw obsession. LOL

[Chi Ma]

Get any?

Gary Searle said:

Is it possible you have a female with a red claw or have you sexed it by boy/girl parts? Nature sometimes throws us a curve to keep us on our toes. I've seen a Whitetail deer doe with antlers.

 

Edit: BTW I blame you for my recent Red Claw obsession. LOL

[Gary Searle]

Not yet, I've been trying to learn all I can and set up a tank before I place an order, although I was suprised at the sparce amount of information available on the net. I did order the 2 Altlas publications this evening of which I've seen mixed reviews, we'll see. I'm just looking for the basics, not really looking to farm them just raise some for personal consumption.

[Chi Ma]

Sorry to tell you that those books you got are garbage.

 

This is the most informative article out there.

https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/getFactSheet/whichfactsheet/48/

[Gary Searle]

That's what I had heard but for the price I took a chance. Thanks for the link.

[Karen Swanberg]

Anyone know how cold the water can get for redclaw? I know the optimal temps for breeding, etc, but I live in the Frozen North, and am wondering if they'd even survive in a minimally-heated greenhouse (I'll have fish all winter, so will be keeping the water from freezing).