Electric Blue Crayfish (Procambarus alleni)- Tank-Bred!
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- Backordered, shipping soon
One of the most colorful freshwater creatures you'll ever find, the notorious Electric Blue Crayfish has to be seen to be believed! The Electric Blue Crayfish is and has been one of our most popular specimens ever since our beginnings. This crayfish is also commonly known as the Electric Blue Freshwater Lobster, though true lobsters do not exist in freshwater. This species originates from the Southeastern United States, but all of our specimens are tank-raised. Like most Procambarus species, the Electric Blue Crayfish reaches maturity very quickly and breeds easily in the aquarium. In fact, many of our specimens have bred in our tanks at our facility!
Though most crayfish are often reclusive by nature, this particular crayfish is very active by comparison and spends plenty of time exploring the floor of the aquarium in search of food. The Electric Blue Crayfish is an omnivorous scavenger and will eat most any meaty or plant-based foods. This animal should not be kept with ornamental live plants, as it will eat them at a surprising rate.
As it reaches adulthood, the Electric Blue Crayfish will become relatively territorial, so it may behave aggressively towards other animals in the tank. It is important that ample hiding places such as rockwork, driftwood, or PVC pipes be provided. This is even more crucial when housing multiple crayfish in the same tank. Due to the size and waste production of this crayfish, a minimum 30-gallon, well-filtered aquarium is necessary for one adult. A larger aquarium can house multiple adults of similar size. This is a very hardy animal, but regular water changes are vital to its optimal health. Other bottom-dwelling invertebrates and fish should not be kept with large crayfish. It is possible to keep mid- and upper-level, fast-swimming fish with the Electric Blue Crayfish, but crayfish are opportunistic feeders and will generally eat whatever they can catch. It is a skilled climber, so extra care must be taken to ensure that it does not escape its enclosure.
As with all of our crayfish, the coloration of the Electric Blue Crayfish is EXTREMELY high quality - much higher quality than others on the market! This crayfish may TEMPORARILY change color and hide more than usual after molting, which may occur during shipping. If your crayfish is not blue and you find a molt in the bag or in your aquarium, do not worry; this is normal and the bright color will return in 2 weeks or less.
This is the blue variant of this species, with red/orange and white specimens also being available. We also offer sexed female Electric Blue Crayfish and male/female breeding pairs!
*IMPORTANT* Please "Choose a Variant" above before adding this crayfish to your cart. The variants we're currently offering are:
- 1 Electric Blue Crayfish - 2 to 3+ inch Young Adult (No sex specified. Most popular option)
- 1 Female Electric Blue Crayfish - 2 to 3+ inches (We guarantee a very high-quality, breeding age young adult female crayfish for this listing)
- 1 Male/Female Pair of Electric Blue Crayfish - 2 to 3+ inches (We guarantee a very high-quality, breeding age young adult male/female crayfish pair for this listing)
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1 Juvenile Electric Blue Crayfish - 1/2 inch+ (A younger and smaller variant of Electric Blue Crayfish at a lower price than our young adult specimens. This is a particularly fast-growing, hardy species and will usually grow well into adult size and coloration within 1 to 3 months. In the meantime, any customers who choose to go with a juvenile specimen can save some money and experience the excitement of watching their little crayfish grow!)
- 1 B-Grade Electric Blue Crayfish - 2 to 3+ inch Young Adult (All of our “B-Grade” crayfish are simply specimens that are missing more than 1 of their legs or claws. Loss of appendages is not permanent and happens commonly with crustaceans. They are completely healthy with excellent coloration and will completely regenerate lost appendages within 1 to 2 molts, which is typically about 2 to 3 months.)
- Bold blue coloration that makes for a wonderful centerpiece to the aquarium
- Much more active than many crayfish species
- Extremely hardy and adaptable
- Excellent scavenger
- Temperature: 65°- 76° F (18° - 24° C)
- pH: 6.5 - 7.5
- KH: 6 - 15 dKH
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Diet: Omnivorous. High-quality sinking pellets, plants, and freeze-dried or frozen meaty foods will be readily accepted. Cuttlebone should be added to the aquarium to supplement calcium, which will aid in exoskeleton production
- Social behavior: Can be aggressive/territorial with its own kind. Crayfish will typically eat whatever they can catch, but since they are slow-moving, they are not often able to harm fast-moving fish
- Origin: Tank-bred, but indigenous to Southeastern United States
- Average adult size: 4 - 5 inches (10 - 12.7 cm) body length, minus claws
- Average purchase size: 2 - 3 inches (5 - 7.6 cm)
- Recommended Aquatic Arts tankmates: Fast-moving fish (such as Celestial Pearl Danios, Rasboras, Guppies, etc.). While dwarf shrimp can be kept successfully with these crayfish, caution should be exercised, as the crayfish have been known to catch and eat slow, sick, or particularly small shrimp. Cichlids can be aggressive toward crayfish and should not be kept in the same tank. Bottom-dwelling tankmates should definitely be avoided.
What makes the Electric Blue Crayfish so popular?
It’s the color. The electric blue is intense and unmistakable, even from across the room. Combined with their bold personality, they quickly become the centerpiece of a tank.
Are Electric Blue Crayfish tank-bred?
Yes. These are tank-bred crayfish, which means they’re already adapted to aquarium life and typically handle captivity better than wild-caught specimens.
How big do Electric Blue Crayfish get?
They usually reach about 4–6 inches as adults. Their size and strength mean they need space and sturdy décor.
Are Electric Blue Crayfish aggressive?
They can be. This species is territorial and will defend its space, especially against other bottom dwellers. They’re not passive invertebrates and should be kept with that in mind.
Can Electric Blue Crayfish live in a community tank?
Generally no. They may catch slow or bottom-dwelling fish, nip fins, or harass tank mates. They’re best kept in species-only setups or with very fast fish where risks are understood.
Are Electric Blue Crayfish shrimp safe?
No. Shrimp will almost certainly be eaten if given the opportunity.
Do Electric Blue Crayfish dig or rearrange the tank?
Yes—and enthusiastically. Digging, moving substrate, and redecorating are all normal behaviors. Secure hardscape is important.
What do Electric Blue Crayfish eat?
They’re omnivores. Sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen foods, and blanched vegetables all work well. A varied diet supports healthy growth and successful molts.
Do Electric Blue Crayfish molt often?
Yes. Molting is a normal part of growth. During molts they may hide more and should not be disturbed. Leaving the shed exoskeleton in the tank helps them reclaim calcium.
Who are Electric Blue Crayfish best suited for?
They’re best for hobbyists who want a bold, interactive invertebrate and are comfortable with a species-focused setup. If you enjoy personality and don’t mind some tank rearranging, they’re very engaging.
Shipping, Arrival & Acclimation
How are Electric Blue Crayfish shipped?
They’re packed individually and securely to prevent injury, with insulation and temperature control used as needed. Shipping methods prioritize animal health over speed.
What should I do as soon as my crayfish arrives?
Open the box promptly and inspect the crayfish while it’s still in the bag. It’s common for them to appear inactive or tucked in after transit—this is normal.
Is there a live arrival guarantee?
Yes. Electric Blue Crayfish are covered by a live arrival guarantee when delivery guidelines are followed. If there’s an issue, contact Aquatic Arts promptly with photos.
How should I acclimate an Electric Blue Crayfish?
Slow acclimation is important. Gradually introduce tank water to the bag water so the crayfish can adjust to temperature and water chemistry differences.
Is drip acclimation recommended?
Yes. Drip acclimation helps reduce stress and lowers the risk of molting issues caused by sudden parameter changes.
Should I add the crayfish directly to the tank after acclimation?
Yes—once acclimated, gently transfer the crayfish into the aquarium. Avoid adding bag water to the tank.
Is it normal if the crayfish hides right away?
Completely normal. Newly arrived crayfish often hide for the first few hours or days while they adjust. Providing caves and cover helps them settle faster.
What if my crayfish molts shortly after arrival?
This can happen and is usually a good sign. Molting after shipping often means the crayfish is adjusting to its new environment.
Should I feed right away after arrival?
It’s best to wait 12–24 hours. Once the crayfish starts exploring, offer a small amount of food. Overfeeding too soon can foul the water.
What tanks are best for newly arrived Electric Blue Crayfish?
Established, fully cycled tanks with stable parameters and plenty of hiding spots are ideal. Avoid newly set-up tanks or aggressive tank mates.
For the safety of our animals, we only ship live fish, crabs, and select other inverts exclusively via UPS 1 Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS 1 Day Air as a shipping option during checkout. If other items are in your cart that can ship with 2 day or standard shipping options the only shipping method you can still select is UPS 1 Day Air.
UPS 1 Day is a description of the duration of time a shipment will spend in transit once it has been shipped. This does not guarantee the package will be shipped the same or next day from which the order was placed.
Shipping Schedule for this service
Current Handling Time:
1-9 business days
Here at Aquatic Arts, we consider the welfare of the live animals we are shipping to be of the foremost importance. This process is much more involved than simply creating a shipping label and affixing it to a box. Depending on the order, it takes from 4 to 7 people to complete this process properly. We check the weather conditions here where they fly out of the Indianapolis UPS facility and the destination for each shipment. We start early each morning and go through a multi-step process to have the day's shipments prepared in time for the UPS pickup. The volume of orders in our system also affects the processing time. Therefore our stated handling time is 1-9 business days.
Shipping Rate
Pricing is by size of package needed to fill entire order and distance it must travel. It will be calculated at checkout.
