Mexican Dwarf Orange Crayfish - Keeping Feeding and Breeding

In this video, I tell you everything you need to know about keeping feeding and breeding Mexican Dwarf Orange Crayfish, also known as the CPO Crayfish.
If you like this video, please remember to give it a big thumbs up!!
Also, don't forget to subscribe and hit that little bell so that you're notified about my future videos!
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The Mexican Dwarf Orange Crayfish (or the CPO Crayfish) is a dwarf species of crayfish from the waters of Mexico. Whether you call them a crayfish, crawfish, crawdad or mudbug, these mini lobsters (or so they appear) are super neat and interesting invertebrates.
The care for these little dwarf crayfish is very similar to that of Neocaridina shrimp with only a few differences. They do prefer a neutral to alkaline ph and they need hard water with lots of calcium to promote healthy molting. They are omnivores that will eat everything from live blackworms and snails to frozen foods, pellet foods and even vegetables. Unfortunately, they will even eat each other if they are cramped for space and are given a good opportunity (finding a fellow cray just after it's molted) and baby crays are highly prone to attacking their newborn siblings as well so plenty of hiding spaces (caves, nooks and crannies) is imperative if you want to keep a group of these mexican dwarf orange crayfish or if you intend to breed them.
Breeding is relatively easy with these guys. All you have to do is provide a proper tank with good water and plenty of hiding spaces, feed them well and make sure you have a male and female.
The male dwarf crawfish will flip the female crayfish over onto her back and hold her down for the mating process. A few weeks later the female dwarf crayfish will be carrying a bundle of little crayfish eggs under her tail. The CPO crayfish mother will carry these eggs for four to five weeks before they hatch.
Once hatched, the baby dwarf crayfish are just like little copies of their parents, claws and all. They can even go right to eating the same foods as their Mexican Dwarf Orange Crayfish parents.
I put out new videos every Friday morning. My goal is to both inform and inspire you in this awesome fishkeeping hobby!
I'm breeding fish for profit, aquascaping for fun, collecting fish, selling fish and expanding my fish room...and I'm sharing all of it with you!
Thank you so much for all of the support! Every comment, like and subscription is so helpful, not only for KZbin's purposes but also because the positive feedback from you, the fishkeeping community, is what keeps me motivated to keep making these videos.
God bless ya, Fish Nerds! I will see ya next time!!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks for watching!! If you like this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe! kzbin.info Also, check out some of my other videos!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKm9f4eelMp-p7c

[@samsaraojoneibolt4084]

The Fish Nerd I have a question, can dwarf Crayfish be Tankmates with dwarf frogs?.

[@tijan7376]

how many time female need to have babies

[@pasan.m.jayarathna4962]

Can I keep these Mexican Dwarf Orange Crayfish with shrimps

[@tijan7376]

@@pasan.m.jayarathna4962 yes

[@pasan.m.jayarathna4962]

@@tijan7376 thanks.

[@Cranklol2]

I'm branching out in the fish keeping hobby. I started with goldfish and bettas, but I'm getting really into tropicals now! There's not much crayfish information out there, so I definitely appreciate this video.

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks Angelica!! :)

[@DragonSkaterrr]

goldfish and betta? dont goldfish need to be in 18-22 and betta in like 22-26?

[@TheSantos173]

I think the bettas can also eat dwarf crayfish when they molt

[@ImmortalWombat]

@@DragonSkaterrr I dont understand how that went over your head but when she started keeping fish she was keeping Bettas and Goldfish, Beginner fish but now she's expanding her experience and knowledge... Not keeping Bettas and Goldfish with the crayfish what's wrong with your thinking?

[@EchidnaKida]

Betta fish ARE tropical.

[@rippsteakface]

Great steady shots of the crays, good even tone of voice, lots of useful info, etc.

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks!! 👍🏼

[@genemiller9063]

You keep it interesting, and enjoyable keep up the good work....

[@GrandMasterPeep]

Ripp steakface is a fish dude too? Such a versatile man! Twu

[@vonyinzer]

Great amount of useful info on the dwarf crayfish, I got a few in a tank rescue, and just spotted them "wrestling" and was searching for info, your stream popped up, still relevant info after all these years. Happy Fishkeeping!

[@TheFishNerd]

That's awesome! Thanks!

[@clasinashipsey6706]

Loved your video. I am getting some orange Crayfish myself. Your down to earth, your don’t try to be funny you just tell it how it is. Thank you.

[@TheFishNerd]

Why thank you!

[@sleepysobTF]

Appreciates every sub. And to bet at 15k subs now. And with the attitude and the hard work i can tell he's putting out I know he's going far and I really hope he surpasses mine and his own expectations. Guy genuinely deserves all the good coming his way.

[@justpassingthrough9887]

I just found you and subbed. Thank you for this information!! I'm considering orange dwarf crayfish and wanted to learn about them beforehand. Now I'm "this much" closer to a positive decision. Very informative. BTW.... I see you now have 13.9k subs. Congrats!! 😁

[@TheFishNerd]

Awesome!! Thanks so much! Glad it helped!

[@stevhanhughes673]

This is my first time here, I have enjoyed the entire show. I am appreciative of the fact that you hold the camera on a crayfish and do not swing it around constantly. Anyhow, I think that you are doing a great job and I am anxious to see what you do next!!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thank you so much!!

[@Angellica-r6u]

Thank you for this. Really helpful also i love that you don't use background music.😅

[@deaconerinkirk1976]

It's good to see you can have balance in your hobby, family and religion. Stay focused and blessed and I'll catch your next video

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks Deacon!! That's the goal. :)

[@Mumek21]

Great arrangements in your aquarium! Ideal for these orange guys. I'm keeping them on tap water also (polish water is pretty hard) with neocaridina red cherry shrimp. They do tend to dine on shrimp from time to time, yet they reproduce so quickly, so you wouldn't even notice this loss. I love watching how they walk around the tank being very curious.

[@kimsotus]

The crayfish is a peculiar animal, but you've got some nice setups of the critters where they look like they're just chillin' and skirtin' along. Keep it up! #TheFishNerd

[@TheFishNerd]

+Kimsotus Orelius yeah they're definitely interesting little critters. Lol Thanks!!

[@SusanforSLCAquatics]

you know I'm so happy for you and proud to be a part of this great community!!! keep up the great work! love you and God Bless!

[@TheFishNerd]

Susan for SLC Aquatics thanks Susan!! Love you too!

[@zahirahrlbelsayed1908]

Hi Carlos. Thanks for the useful information. I'm originally from Columbiana, Ohio, but living in Malaysia now. I've just started to get into the hobby so your videos are real helpful. Congratulations on 1K subs! I look forward to more future videos.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Zahirah RLB Elsayed That's awesome! Glad the videos have been helpful! Thanks Zahira!!

[@smeallo]

you got me thinking about to get some blue crayfish :) congratz to 1.2k!

[@TheFishNerd]

+Smeal Kapor The mudbug bug has bitten! Lol Thanks Smeal!!

[@AquaApprentice]

Congrats again on 1k, your killing it. Always look forward to your videos.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Aqua Apprentice thanks so much Aqua!! Really appreciate all your support!

[@DankTanks]

Great informative video! I love little crayfish. So many memories as a kid catching all the big ones out of the creeks.

[@TheFishNerd]

Dank Tanks thanks man! And hey, crawdad catching ain't just for kids. Lol I still hunt for em when I'm at a creek. Lol

[@DankTanks]

The Fish Nerd you can say that again. It just seems you always caught the good ones as a kid lol

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Like literally! I feel so needy when I spam, but I still want to get one of your shirts so I still do it 😂

[@beachbeats485]

I've liked! Your channel is amazing u deserve 10,000 subs at least! I could watch your channel all day(watching u all day is my weekend plans lol)

[@TheFishNerd]

+fishlover 9 thanks so much fishlover!

[@beachbeats485]

The Fish Nerd what's to thank me for it's true

[@samanthanegron145]

Your video is excellent and valuable! I love your passion and enthusiasm for the hobby!

[@TheFishNerd]

😁

[@Hyde18337]

Great video! Thanks for the info. Definitely subscribing!

[@Jason-vy6fl]

I really like the way you give people information about the MDC, thank you . You're awesome

[@TheFishNerd]

Fish Nation thanks fish nation!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I think I'm done spamming now, so GREAT JOB CARLOS ON 1K AND HERE'S TO YOUR NEXT ONE THOUSAND SUBS!!! 😀 👏👏👏 🎉🎉🎉

[@TheFishNerd]

+The Turtle Girl thanks!! 😁👍🏼🎉

[@karlboyer9591]

Thanks for the info starting my crayfish tank this week. I have a fifty five gallon tank.

[@TheFishNerd]

Awesome!! Good luck with it!!

[@justinneilsonn2665]

Caught my two dwarf lobsters hooking up this morning when I turned on the lights 😉😉😂😂♥️♥️

[@harleym50]

Congratulations on 1,000. I just joined so now it is 1,001 😉

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks Harley! Glad to have you!

[@AquariumCop]

Super cool, the ones near me look terrible I'm afraid to buy one, your crays look so so much nicer! Cool a contest .

[@AquariumCop]

Where is everyone ? 💞

[@zacharydevan4107]

Way more entertaining than my cherries.

[@ElGalIo2]

Thanks for the Vid, receiving mine in a couple days..... This helped a lot. Keep’em coming.

[@TheFishNerd]

Awesome!! Hope you enjoy them!

[@ElGalIo2]

The Fish Nerd Bro I received them today, They’re tiny!!! What’s the biggest you’ve seen?

[@TheFishNerd]

Biggest one seen was probably 1.5 to 2 inches. Tops.

[@PecktecGames]

If you start a new channel you get to do it all over again. Look at you now with 15K. ;)

[@marksarkaquariums9056]

Congrats on a 1000 subs.Keep up the great work.

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Super informative video, Carlos. I wish I could get another tank for some of these guys...they're just so cute! Congrats on 1k! By the way, I really liked the thumbnail. ;)

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks!!! I actually had to clear it with my little sister before I used the term "cray cray." lol My thumbnails are on fleek! lol

[@fishead4464]

I've been subbed for quite a while. I don't get to watch many of your videos (not enough time in the day to watch everyone) but I always enjoy your videos.

[@TheFishNerd]

+fishead 2925 thanks fishead!

[@niqlikesthis]

Congrats on 1k!🎉 Really awesome info on these guys! Thx for sharing your knowledge😊 They look so great in your tank.

[@TheFishNerd]

+niq_ mo thank you!! 😁

[@ShinigamiMorin]

As usual great video, keep them coming! and i really like your tank with all those Malaysian snail.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Erik Morin Thanks Erik!!

[@turtlegeeurbanturtleguy4820]

Awesome video

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks Turtle Gee!!

[@turtlegeeurbanturtleguy4820]

The Fish Nerd 🤓👌🏼

[@davidlee9537]

Congrats man, you've helped me and my son out allot. Keep it going.

[@TheFishNerd]

David Lee thanks David!!! That's so great to hear!

[@nasphos]

Congrats on the 1k subscriber's keep the videos coming.

[@TheFishNerd]

+nasphos thanks!! I'm gonna try!

[@theunrealskywalker3522]

Bro I had to make a second comment. You rock bro. Love the way you appreciate the 1000+ you had at this time. I am only seeing this video and any video from you for the first time. I liked it a lot you did great and you talk to the people nice. My channel sucks lol. I think I have like 500 views on maybe my best video. I’ll check out more of yours. Second, I love my two little crayfish. And I got a prego female with a lot of eggs. From your video I’m going to make a bunch more hiding spots though.

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks Kyle!! Really appreciate it!

[@JaneDoe-od7bt]

I enjoyed your video. Always looking for family safe fish folk to watch!

[@TheFishNerd]

+Nillebob Crittermom thank you! If I'm anything, I hope its family safe. :)

[@Nedward7483]

CONGRATS ON 1K SUBSCRIBERS!! I love watching others who enjoy my passion :)

[@sharfinbean667]

Congrats on your growing channel! Love those little orange crayfish, interesting little guys

[@TheFishNerd]

+Sharfin Bean thank you!! 😁

[@JordanPayneLV]

Look at you, 5 years later with 100k subs. Amazing

[@ethanna1684]

Wow your channels grown fast, I subscribed when you had 4 subs and now you have 1000+. Congrats man!

[@TheFishNerd]

+The Pickled Plecostomus wow!! Thanks for being with me from the beginning!!

[@fishead4464]

Thanks for the give away, I really like these quick easy ones!

[@theultimate77]

Cool Channel. Found you through Flip Aquatics video today. Good stuff keep up the great work and congrats on 1k

[@TheFishNerd]

+The Ultimate Awesome!! Thanks for coming over to check out my channel!

[@nmaquatics924]

Watched the last couple of videos...great information, great presentation...you are destined for a very active channel...subscribed and liked!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate that!

[@anthonyragan2696]

Congratulations on a thousand subscribers! You have a good informative channel, and I'm glad I found it. 👍

[@TheFishNerd]

+Anthony Ragan thanks Anthony! That means a lot!

[@stevez4819]

Congrats on 1k. Just getting into aquariums and your channel is a great resource. Glad to see you growing.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Steve Z awesome!! Thanks a lot Steve!! Welcome to the hobby!!

[@hunterfogel6082]

I just subscribed to this channel because Carlos is such an inspiration to me and has helped me gain more knowledge in the fish keeping hobby

[@TheFishNerd]

+Everything Betta wow! Thank you so much!

[@ACAquatics]

2000 subs before you know it and you deserve it. I always enjoy your videos.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Adam C. Thanks Adam!!

[@MaryJane9431]

Thank you I have purchased my two crayfish for the first time and this information was amazing for me. Thank you so much. I have lots to do to take care of my two crayfish.

[@TheFishNerd]

Awesome!! Good luck with them!

[@NetherNinja]

congrats on 1k

[@TheFishNerd]

+NetherNinja thanks!! 😁

[@mikesimmons9383]

Digging the videos, keep'em coming! Congrats again on 1k!!!

[@TheFishNerd]

+Mike Simmons thanks Mike!!

[@ejfishes7610]

Congrats on 1k Carlos! Always look forward to your videos coming out!

[@TheFishNerd]

+EJ Fishes 76 thanks EJ! Really appreciate it!

[@irondaga8529]

Keep up the vidz, in time you will grow like all the other fish keepers channels. Love the content so far and looking forward to more!!!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks Matthew!!

[@andrewderksen3342]

Ya I love how active my guy is Definitely going to get some more 👍

[@bradlehman2588]

Congrats on 1k subscribers! Just found your channel and really like your uploads!

[@TheFishNerd]

+Brad 1986 thanks Brad!

[@JennyLeeFish]

Congratulations on reaching 1K! I love your channel, can't wait to see more videos from you.

[@TheFishNerd]

Jenny Lee thanks Jenny!!

[@SimplyShrimps]

Love crayfish, love your channel! Keep it going dude 😁

[@TheFishNerd]

+Simply Shrimps thank you Simply!! :)

[@ACAquatics]

Congrats on 1k subs brother. Keep the awesome videos coming.

[@monstabearfishing5199]

Excellent work

[@FlynnsFishForum]

Commenting for the contest! :) Congrats on 1K!

[@TheFishNerd]

+Flynn's Fish Forum thanks Flynn!! 😁👍🏼

[@WichitaFallFishKeeper]

Love the crayfish. Congrats on 1k subscribers!! Keep your great content coming!!!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks so much Michael!! Really appreciate all your support. :)

[@WichitaFallFishKeeper]

The Fish Nerd quick question...my male pleco abandoned the eggs. Now the rams horns are on them. I pulled the eggs and put them in a fish breeder box. Have you had similar issues? Thanks

[@TheFishNerd]

Wichita Falls Fishkeeper I haven't but I don't think it's too uncommon for a first spawn. Could just be that he's still getting the hang of what he needs to do. I would say try to keep some water flow on the eggs to keep them from getting fungus.

[@setyourhandle120]

new favorite channel

[@TheFishNerd]

+ZeRoBurrito69 wow!! Thank you!

[@cincyaquatics6378]

Dude congrats on your 1k! I haven't done any updates in so long but hopefully that'll be changing that soon!

[@TheFishNerd]

+Cincy Aquatics hey thanks man!! And yeah, get some vids out bro!

[@cassiekat4055]

i love this channel! you have so much good information(: keep up the good work!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks so much Cassandra!!

[@cassiekat4055]

i would love to see this channel get huge!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks! Me too!! Lol 😂

[@sherrysfishroom6597]

Thanks for sharing I have one dwarf crayfish. I love when I rarely see him. Loved the snail video it was awesome.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Sherry Swinney thank you so much sherry!!

[@ahofftn]

Like your channel, found you from Cory's video. Keep up the good work!

[@TheFishNerd]

ahofftn thanks! Glad to have you here!

[@jaysaquatics7461]

Congrats on 1K

[@TheFishNerd]

+Jacob B thanks!!

[@KwyeuhtStorm1]

Those are cool. Congrats on the success of your growing channel

[@TheFishNerd]

+Kwyeuht Storm thanks!

[@HCAqua]

Cool little guys! Congrats on the 1K!

[@TheFishNerd]

+H.C. Aqua thanks H.C.!!

[@laurareed3562]

Thank you for taking the time to do these videos

[@TheFishNerd]

+Laura Reed thanks for taking the time to watch! :)

[@aquaticfeind7260]

Great video, congrats on 1000 subs!

[@TheFishNerd]

+Aquatic Feind thank you!

[@MBMCincy63]

I am a new fish keeper, I like the videos I have watched.

[@TheFishNerd]

+mary beth Mabe thanks Mary Beth!

[@DeFreeseAquariums]

Congrats on the 1k! Great channel, great content and just fun streams.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Racing's Natural Aquariums hey thanks!!

[@KZEllis]

I love love love those rocks! Thanks much for the upload!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks Karen!! I'm super happy with the way this scape turned out. :)

[@xoxchipsahoyxox]

Great video! I just got a dwarf crayfish, and I absolutely love him!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks!! And congrats! They are very neat!

[@cali2558]

Just found your channel. Congrats on the 1K subs. You are pretty funny.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Cali Cichlid Man hey thanks!! Really appreciate it!

[@JHAquatics]

very cool. I have been informed of a gut on my island that has tropical Crayfish. I need to get out on an adventure.

[@TheFishNerd]

Awesome!! Go get em bro!

[@NetherNinja]

U are doing a good thing for your viewers.

[@CJBlack265]

Congratulations. on 1K subs!! Lots of good info on the crayfish (called em crawdads when I was a kid in the country, those were bigger though). Thanks for sharing your passion 👍

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks CJ!! I called em crawdads too (still do if they're not in an aquarium lol). We used to go to the creek turning up rocks looking for them. Brought one home once and kept it in a tank.

[@CJBlack265]

Me too, except it was an irrigation ditch, not a creek! I live in the Mississippi River Delta region, not a lot of creeks - plenty of ditches, cotton, and soy beans. We used a hoe to swish the crawdads onto the bank - this was back when computers were owned by NASA and the military and took up entire rooms and floors in buildings- lol

[@TheFishNerd]

lol you mean you didn't film all that on your iphone to put on youtube??

[@CJBlack265]

Lol - I'd have had to use an 8mm film camera, wait for it to be developed, then project it onto a screen. Delayed gratification - my parents did have a Polaroid with the accordion lens - that was pretty "uptown" back in the day, but it was only for still shots. You have a great day and keep inspiring us with your videos! 📷😄

[@flamenkito247]

Awesome vid & great info, thanks!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks!!

[@robertjester6887]

I understand more about crawfish now

[@huntertrivette5183]

Man, I like the scape! Those rocks look great!

[@TheFishNerd]

+Hunter Trivette thanks! I collected those from a river in Arkansas where my in-laws live.

[@fishead4464]

This was a great video, tons of Info. Well done.

[@TheFishNerd]

+fishead 2925 hey thanks!!

[@PincheMigs]

Great info on these guys. Love crayfish, just last week I was catching them out of a stream by my friends cabin. Can't take the kid out of this girl lol.

[@TheFishNerd]

+April W that's awesome!! I love turning up rocks for crawdads and salamanders!

[@redneckaquatics816]

I like your Channel I think it's cool what you doing and congratulations on a thousand

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks so much George!

[@Taggie912]

Great Info. Have to wait to consider possibly getting some of these. So far, they would not fit with my community tank fish. Found you on Flip Aquatics videos and like your videos a lot. Also, wouldn't mind being chosen for one of the prizes :) I look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@TheFishNerd]

+Taggie912 Thanks Taggie!! Glad to have you here! :)

[@gritty1236]

Congratulations on 1,000 subs!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks Gritty!

[@ACAquatics]

Very informative and entertaining. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamtmill]

Just subbed. Awesome stuff

[@TheFishNerd]

+jamtmill awesome!! Thanks for joining us!

[@DK00018]

Good job with 1000! Love the videos!

[@TheFishNerd]

Thanks a ton!

[@fishead4464]

Congratulations on 1k+ subs!!!

[@caninecreation]

Congratulations on 1k!

[@TheFishNerd]

+caninecreation thank you!

[@BentleyPascoe]

Nice video Carlos!

[@LoveBirdsCentral]

Cool video! V. Stag sent me to your channel. I subscribed. 😍👍

[@TheFishNerd]

Awesome!! Thanks!! V. Stag is the man. :)

[@SergeantTank]

Congrats on hitting 1000!!! Keep it up ;)

[@unostop6705]

I hate that you lost a few crays. Hope the rest do well. Grats on 1k subs!

[@TheFishNerd]

+rick howard thanks rick! They seem to all be doing well now. :)

[@aquariumarts6258]

Love your channel so far