After harvesting their catch, some crayfish harvesters prefer to hold
crawfish for a few days. Confinement is done to clean and purge these tiny
shellfish before cooking. Bait tanks or other containment systems are also used
to keep a constant supply of crayfish for fishing bait.
When maintaining populations of live crayfish, a number of challenges are
likely to be encountered. Cannibalism can be a major problem when quantities of
individuals are confined together. Although cannibalism cannot be eliminated,
the behavior can be minimized through a number of practices.
Access to food and shelter appear to help curb cannibalism, as do habitats
that keep crayfish active. In addition to cannibalism, crayfish are subject to
predation from birds, raccoons, and other wildlife. When crayfish are kept
outside, these threats can be a serious problem.
Water quality can be an issue, especially during hot weather. To minimize
mortality, crayfish tanks must be kept clean and the water changed often. Most
closed systems require frequent maintenance in order to perform correctly.
One of the simplest systems for keeping crayfish alive can be rigged by
equipping a large cooler with a few additional components. A small garden
fountain pump can be added to circulate water. If possible shelter should also
be added to a crayfish storage tank. Objects such as oyster shells, whelk
shells, stones, or pottery make suitable shelters for crayfish.
When holding crayfish, the decision to feed or not is usually based on the
intended use. If the intent is to purge crayfish briefly before cooking, feeding
may not be necessary. In other cases, it may be desirable to feed crayfish every
day or two in order to maintain peak condition. Popular foods include corn,
rice, or small amounts of plant vegetation.
As an alternative to bait tanks or other closed containers, some enthusiasts
store crayfish in pens or cages which are located in nearby ponds or creeks. As
with bait tanks, these storage methods are subject to problems such as
cannibalism, outside predation, and water quality fluctuations. Crayfish pens
cages should be located out of direct sunlight when possible.
Despite their challenges, crayfish holding setups can be extremely useful on
a small scale. They can provide a reliable source of fishing bait as well as
fresh crayfish for the table. Tanks, pens, and other systems can also be used
for storing baitfish or other aquatic life.
