Crayfish 23

Been awhile.  But I have a good excusing having been away working in Accra.  Long way from our babies. However all was not lost. For the last 8 months the family have been keeping an eye on them and feeding them etc. So much so they have grown very well.

That said it is difficult to keep asking them to do the hard work. So we cleaned out one tank this afternoon and will throw in the main fish pond and keep a few of the big crays to go on the Barbie this evening.....

We emptied one of the two smaller tanks and I reckon we put about 150 assorted sized crays into the main fish pond next to our house. (see the 2 videos below) We kept 10 big ones for these evenings feast.  They came in at 111.5 grams.  And largest being 22cms long (that's 9 inches to you olds !!!' no jokes....................)

Crayfish 22

Well another dead prawn and one de-shelled.  We added in some larger pipes (Condos !!!!)  which seem to be getting some use. I since taking the photo have moved them away from the side wall.  Gives them access from both sides which they seem to prefer. Well more of them are using the pipes.

And I've included a photo of our resident frog.  He lives above the clock in the kitchen......

Crayfish 21

We moved the crays into two tanks from the three. And used the third for some other type of fresh water prawns.  The ones with very long claws.

All good.  A few died but I think this was due to the transportation a few days ago.  I bought them live and planned to put them on the Bar B Q but then once home changed my mine and put them in the tank.. So firstly they survived the journey without water for 15 minutes and three lost their claws in the ensuing entanglements....

Anyway all good as I say. The dead ones were of course grilled and tasted excellent....

Today just missed catching a photo of a cray changing its shell.

Crayfish 20

Been a while. About 2 weeks ago we had one of our three tanks turn a very dark brown/black.  We lost about 20 crays. Happened very quickly.  Matter of hours. So we replaced the eater. Froze the dead crays, well at least the big ones for later consumption and started again. BTW they tasted V Good.....

Then last week I made up a couple of additional filters and pumps. (Forgot to take photos).  But very simple,  old plastic paint tubs, cut hole on side top and bottom and added the filter balls and fabric on top. Connected up a small submersible pump. Good to go. Working very well.  Up to now we had only run the biggest tank with a pump and filter with the other two only getting air stones and occasional change of water. Well now all going well.  We have just been away for 5 days and the water in all three looks great.  Also managed to get Wanna's mum not to over feed them.  I think before she was feeding them like little children constantly adding more.  Not good for crays.

Anyway all good in the land of Siam-Aquaponics.

Till next time.

Crayfish 19

All very quiet.   We've been away for a while and we left Mum to feed the fish. Only problem was she thought they were very hungry.  Gave them about 6 months food over a 5 day period !!!  Major clean out of the tanks last night when we got back.  All good and the little fella's appear quite happy with life. Few babies appearing.

And yes Aquaponics will be starting up again in May......

Crayfish 18

We have had several crays reshell themselves lately. Not sure if the cold water affects them of it is just cyclical. Anyway a chance to get a short movie with them out in the open.

Crayfish 17

And the crays keep on growing.  We've been away and Wanna's brother was feeding them on a daily basis. Lots of big ones and a few pregnant. So what to do in a few move months i have no idea.

Today was water cleaning day and we had some helpers. They really enjoyed the water splashing. getting a head start for Thai New Year.

Crayfish 16

Done.  Cleaned out the system.  We planned to spend a few hours getting this done. Lots of help form Wanna's three year old niece "Ice".

Wanna and I drained each tank and cleaned up them up. Lovely job.  We kept some of the old brackish water to put back as we thought they would life some of the same stuff. But really Cray's are very hardy little creatures. Not a lot seems ot both them.  And they fight. Cut each other up big time. Claws missing etc. No joke!!!

We down sized from 4 tanks to 3. So we used the three newish blue tanks we had down in Rayong.  Got rid of the old concrete mixing tank. Must be honest i never liked it but....

On tidying up we separated the big Crays from medium and small. Hence three tanks....

The big ones. 20 female and 8 male.  Put them in the big tank with some new "condo's".  All very excited about their new homes.  Just bits of old water pipe but, if you had nothing water pipe is fine!!!

The rest of the Crays we did not count. But guessing about 100+ of medium and small. So all good now ot leave with Wanna's sister and Mum while we are away.

Crayfish 15

Just back from Vanuata and Wanna's sister "Bhep" has been looking after them. She's busy son only really has time to feed them and check they do not run out of water. Can't really ask much more from here.

Needless to say however the little guys need an bit of Love and Attention as well. The water needs changing and is has high grown of duck weed. Not sure how I am going to clean all that out as we are off on our travels again in a few weeks.

So watch tomorrow for "clean" Cray Fish pictures.

Oh yes I almost forgot to mention. We got an electric shock from the pump. At first I thought it has go damages or worn out but close inspection showed the wire lead has been cut by the Crays.... Will have to repair and then protect with a plastic water pipe. Amazing just how strong their claws are?  Why would anyone want to bit an electric cable?

So one more job to do.  Quick cable repair.

Crayfish 14

Nothing new but came across these photos and video.
Well worth posting.. Shows the little fellers growing on the mother.

And a quick video.

Crayfish 13

Thought it would be a couple of weeks before I posted about the crays. But we were clearing us and found one more pregnant female. She was in with female and was just beginning to show eggs/babies. In fact I think she was just starting to "extrude them" if thats the correct terminology.  Doubt it !!!!

Female Crayfish being relocated using a bucket !

Anyway while sorting out a new home for her in the third tank we watched one small one cast off its shell.  I took some photos then a short video.  Quite amazing.  The video is less than 1 minutes long and the little fella does so much.  Worth watching.

Looking really strange like they are blowing apart.   

Crayfish Part 12

Just started raining so they seem to have sensed it and come out of hiding.  Still waiting on  the mothers to drop a few little ones just have to wait. Time is all it takes.

Crayfish Part 11

We've moved up to Ban Muang following my retirement for engineering work at the end of May. We brought the Crayfish up with us. It was a difficult journey as we put them all together in a Polystyrene  Box with just water and an air pump. It was a 7 hour journey and they took some rough and tumbles along the way. Sadly a few small ones died and a few others lost a claw or 2 !

We have now got them set up in our Sala area of the house. Two tanks. The main one with all the Crayfish and a few fish, except for three pregnant Crays which we have separated out into another tank. Now its time to sit back and watch them grow.

Suspended Air Pump.  Air con unit is for us not them !

Taking up valuable floor space !

Relaxing on their "pipe" homes.