Project Don Cray

Project Don Cray

Profile

Test Subject : Don Cray the crayfish [1].

Common Name : Red crayfish
Scientific Name : Procambarus clarkii

Description : 
A typical of most shrimp-like crustaceans, characterized by a joined head and thorax, and a segmented body, which is sandy red, dark blue in color. Size about 7.5 cm (3 inches) long. The head has two pairs of sensory antennae and a pair of eyes on movable stalks. The appendages, or pereiopods, of the thorax include four pairs of walking legs which, as well as walking, are to probe cracks and crevices between rocks looking for food. Don cray own one pair of clawbearing chelipeds, which it extends in front of its body while moving. These strong pinchers are specialised for cutting, capturing food, attack, and defense. It also has several pairs of specialised food handling "legs," bailers to cycle water over the gills, and five pairs of swimmerets which are under the abdomen. All of these "legs" can be regenerated if broken off. Like all other crustaceans, it have a hard outside skeleton. This jointed exoskeleton provides protection and allows movement, but limits growth. As a result, crayfish regularly gets too big for its skeleton, sheds it, and grows a new larger one. This is called molting. and occurs six to ten times during the first year of rapid growth, but less often during the second year. For a few days following each molt, crayfish have soft exoskeletons and are more vulnerable to predators.

Food : Prawn pallets, Anchovies, Carrot, dead fish (river guppies), dead shrimp, pond snails

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Observations and Misc. Life Span Report

Day 1---> bought on 29 March 2013.

Day 16---> 1st molting on 13 April 2013, spotted an empty exoskeleton at 6.30am.

Day 29---> 2nd molting on 26 April 2013, spotted an empty exoskeleton at 7.15am.  

 
Last Day---> R.I.P. on 29 June 2013. Reason of death remain unknown.

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Photo Gallery

Photo 1: Don Cray the Crayfish, 31 March 2013.

Photo 2 : Hiding under the rock, 31 March 2013.

Photo 3 : Climbing on the rock, 1 April 2013.

Photo 4 : Empty exoskeleton leftover after molting, 13 April 2013.

Photo 5 : [Top] Don Cray enjoying his meal slice carrot on top of the air filter. [Bottom] Empty exoskeleton. 13 April 2013.

Photo 6 : Don Cray latest form after 2nd molting, 26 April 2013.

Photo 7 : Exoskeleton after 2nd molting, 26 April 2013.

Photo 8 : Don Cray corpse.

Photo 9 : Still looking gorgeous even he is dead.

Photo 10 : I wonder what is the cause of death...

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References :
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procambarus_clarkii