Although they were once considered to be a very niche pet, cray fish are becoming increasingly popular within the aquarium keeping hobby with more and more people adding a cray fish to their tank each year.
This has caused a number of people to reach out with a range of different questions about keeping a pet crayfish in their tanks over the last couple of months and we have already answered a number of them in other articles.
More recently, there has been a number of people reaching out to ask for a list of signs a crayfish is dying so we wanted to publish this dedicated article.
It will always be better to get an official confirmation from a vet and you can book a video call with a vet to have them assess your crayfish to get professional advice but our list below should be able to help you get a rough idea of whats going on.
Lack Of Appetite
One of the first signs that something could be wrong with your crayfish is a lack of appetite and this is usually one of the more common early signs that something isnt right.
A crayfishs appetite can vary from day to day depending on a number of different factors but if you notice that your crayfish has gone then it could be a sign of something that is potentially serious.
We have a dedicated article going over why your crayfish is not eating that goes into this in far more detail.
Lethargy
If your crayfish is lying at the bottom of the tank not moving or is generally being much more inactive than it usually is then this could be a sign that something is wrong.
Crayfish are generally quite active creatures so if you notice a change in their behaviour, particularly if they are not moving around as much as they usually do, then it is definitely something that you should take notice of.
We also have a dedicated article going over why your crayfish is not moving that may be helpful.
Damage To Shell
One of the most obvious signs that something isnt right with your crayfish is damage to their shell.
This can be anything from small scratches and scrapes to more serious damage such as cracks and holes in the shell.
If you notice any damage to your crayfishs shell then it is definitely something that you should take notice of as it could be a sign of something more serious.
Shell rot is becoming increasingly popular but we have a guide on treating shell rot in crayfish that can help you stop the spread if you do see shell rot breaking out.
Signs Of Infection
If you notice any signs of infection on your crayfish such as redness, swelling or pus then this is definitely something that you should take notice of.
Infections can quickly spread and become serious so if you see any signs of infection then it is important to act fast and seek professional advice from a vet.
Treating an infection can be tricky and we have a guide on treating infections in crayfish that may be helpful.
Please keep in mind, there are parasitic, fungal, viral, and bacterial infections that can take hold on your pet crayfish and in bad cases, all have the potential to cause your pet crayfish to die.
Laying On Back
One of the more serious signs that something is wrong with your crayfish is if you notice them laying on their back.
This is usually a sign of something serious such as an infection or disease and it is definitely something that you should take notice of.
If you see your crayfish laying on its back then we would recommend seeking professional advice from a vet as soon as possible.
Clamped Claws
If you notice that your crayfishs claws are clamped shut then this could be a sign of something serious such as an infection, injury or disease.
Restricted movement in one or both claws can also be the early signs of clamped claws setting in too.
This is definitely something that you should take notice of and seek professional advice if you see this happening to your crayfish.
Extensive Inactivity
Even a lethargic crayfish will still usually move to get food, if you are not able to lure your crayfish out with its favourite treats then it is probably too late to fix whatever the problem is.
With people leading busy lives these days, it may seem like your crayfish just randomly stopped caring about anything but this does usually take five to seven days to set in.
Please note that some crayfish will be inactive for their molting period with this being totally normal and natural for some species of crayfish.
If you are a brand new crayfish keeper then please don’t worry too much if this is the first molt for your crayfish, you will get used to your crayfishes pre and post molt behavior in time.
Emaciation
Emaciation is the process of becoming thin and wasted, often as a result of disease or malnutrition.
In crayfish, emaciation can be a sign that something is wrong and you should take notice.
Some of the common causes of emaciation in crayfish include infection, disease, and malnutrition.
If you see your crayfish becoming emaciated then we would recommend seeking professional advice from a vet as soon as possible.
Swollen Abdomen
If you notice that your crayfishs abdomen is looking swollen or enlarged then this is definitely something that you should take notice of.
A swollen abdomen in a crayfish can be a sign of many different things such as an infection, disease, or even pregnancy.
If you see your crayfishs abdomen looking swollen then we would recommend seeking professional advice from a vet as soon as possible.
White Spots
If you notice any white spots on your crayfish then this is definitely something that you should take notice of.
White spots can be a sign of many different things such as an infection, disease, or even parasites.
Please keep in mind that crayfish can’t get ich like your fish can but there are some other infections that can look similar to ich and are almost as bad.
Reddish Brown Coloring
If you notice that your crayfishs color is starting to change to a reddish brown then this is definitely something that you should take notice of.
Reddish brown coloring in a crayfish can be a sign of many different things such as an infection, disease, or even stress.
If you see your crayfishs color changing to a reddish brown then we would recommend seeking professional advice from a vet as soon as possible.
Summary Of Signs Crayfish Dying
- Lack Of Appetite
- Lethargy
- Laying On Back
- Damage To Shell
- Extensive Inactivity
- Signs of Infection
- Emaciation
- Swollen Abdomen
- Reddish Brown Coloring
Conclusion
If you see any of the signs mentioned in this blog post, then we would recommend seeking professional advice from a vet as soon as possible. Each one of these signs can be an indication that something is wrong with your crayfish and it’s important to get help before the problem gets worse.
