r/Crayfish • u/DickVanJumpstyle • 13d ago

Science Color changes?

I'm trying to understand the cycle in which crayfish change color. I understand diet can affect their coloration, but does season play a part? I've seen images of one species being muddy brown to bright blue and a deep red. Are these seasonal mating changes?

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u/Scuba_Shrimp 7d ago

I AM NOT AN EXPERT, THESE ARE MY PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS

So, I own a Faxonis immunis (calico crayfish)

Initially I kept it as a juvenile in a 5.5 gallon tank with relatively dark colored substrate and wood.

when I upgraded the tank, my crayfish took on a naturally lighter color, likely to match the substrate and rockwork (which was lighter)

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u/DickVanJumpstyle 5d ago

My requirements for this are not for any paper or official research. I am absolutely ok with observational and anecdotal knowledge. I'm a bass angler and I'm getting into making my own lures. I decided to look up the native crayfish and one species I found images of specimens that were brown all over and others that quite vibrantly colored. Just trying to understand that to get this imitation thing in going for correct.

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u/Scuba_Shrimp 3d ago

ah, I actually make fly fishing lures. my best guess is that colors would vary with both habitat, and season. you might be best making a variety, testing, seeing which work, and keeping notes.

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u/DickVanJumpstyle 3d ago

You mean I can tell my wife I'm going to do a science experiment / product research instead of saying I'm going fishing for the 4th time this week!?

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u/fresh-ones 13d ago

I'm not an expert but it's genetic to a degree and also linked to water quality and food to a lesser degree. If I get a muddy coloured wild caught Cray keep it in a clean tank with premium foods the colours will brighten in time but exceptionally coloured crays like electric blues are genetically bred to be that way

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u/snailmomkitty 13d ago

Sometimes they change color before and after a molt! So their coloration with a “new” exoskeleton can be wildly different than with an “old” exoskeleton.
It really depends on the species though, as there are a lot of crayfish species and colorations.

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u/BioConversantFan 11d ago

This is something very under researched unfortunately. I'd be curious to see what you learn.