12 Jun 2007

孫子兵法

Dear Blue Lobster:

Hello, I have two Johanii cichlids, 2 kenyi, 1 mbuna, 1 regular pleco, a Chinese algae eater, a red rainbow shark, and a fire mouth American cichlid. These are all in a 20 gallon tank I plan to upgrade to a 75 this coming winter.

I would like to add an electric blue lobster my only fear is what it will do to my pleco as it likes to dwell on the bottom as well as my Chinese is this highly not recommended? What are your thoughts?

Tom

Dear Gentle Sir:

That's quite a tankful you have there. For those size fishes, the seventy-five gallon tank is a must. If you can afford the extra expense, get a hundred gallon tank. The Chinese Algae-Eater alone can grow to gigantic proportions.

A crayfish in such a crowded tank is anything but a good idea; in fact, it guarantees at least some altercations if not mutually assured destruction.

Once you acquire your new tank, an Electric Blue Lobster or any other kind of crayfish could live happily and safely so long as you follow some simple rules, such as providing hiding spots, such as jars and pipes; plant coverage, which you can purchase at your local pet store; and feeding your cray high quality food.

You may want to find a steady supply of live earthworms, leeches, maggots, and shrimp. A nice steak once in a while is a good idea, and poached eggs will help keep the cray's shell shiny.

With these guidelines in mind, your cray should be able to live a tumultuous, violent life in your new aquarium. To that end I recommend Sun Tzu's The Art of War, a valuable strategy guide for both you and your cray that addresses combat and living in hostile situations.

For example, your cray may succeed in eating all of your fish, in which case he could enjoy complete and total peace not to mention quite a few nice meals. But after that, in the period of peace, his skills would begin to degrade and any new threat would surely topple him.

Other dangers lie ahead before victory, however. Your cray should learn to bow low and fart to the emperor, or in this case, the Chinese Algae-Eater; thus, hiding spaces are important. An empty sack fills no bellies; therefore, keep your cray well-fed, etc.

With these points in mind, and this book in hand, your cray will acclimate to your aquarium community as a sharp warrior of the claw.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Blue Lobster:

Just two days ago I purchased what I was told is a Watermelon Fiddler Crab at a local pet store for my aquarium. Currently, it is lying on its back motionless--it looks dead. I have read your posts on molting, and I would like to know how long it typically takes for a fiddler crab to molt. Hopefully, it is only molting, but I'd like to know how long I should wait before I consider it to be deceased. (It has only been lying this way for probably a few hours. Also worth mentioning: it has a strange arm-like structure rising from its underside.) Thank you for your time, I appreciate your advice and love your site.

-Josh

Anonymous said...

Very interesting blog! First time on here. It is quite entertaining... and instructive! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

We have an electric blue crawfish and our frog try'd to eat it! What do we do?????!!??????~~~!@!!!!

75 gallon aquarium said...

That looks instructive! thanks!

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