Feeding and Nutrition :: crayfish

[tammi]

Do you ever feed your turts live crayfish? They have been abundent this summer
At the creek near my house. And I see the wild RES eating them. I was just curious if any of you did.

[MommaEich]

I put a little one in Chargers tank about a week ago to help clean up waste...haven't seen it for a few days so I suspect he became turtle food! I guess there could be a risk of parasites but the only thing I would really worry about is those claws if you give them a big one.

[jozzep]

Crayfish are wild turtles favorite food.
I used to feed them to my turtles, but they don't eat the claws and other parts that are hard,so they foul the water and stink it up pretty quick.
I wouldn't suggest feeding them, but if you do, take the leftovers out.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

I break the claws off crayfish for the reasons jozzep said also so turtle doesnt get hurt while trying to eat it.

[tammi]

Thanks I'm still deciding on them.

[theartbook35]

I break the claws off crayfish for the reasons jozzep said also so turtle doesnt get hurt while trying to eat it.

In that case... I'd have to feed my turtles crawdaddies that are already prepared, like canned or something. I'm not big on the idea of breaking something's arms off, and then feeding it to a turtle which will typically disembowel it. I have nothing wrong with live food, but the live food shouldn't be tortured either.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Crayfish claws are ment to come off like the end of some lizards tails. Its a defence to help them get away.

[tammi]

It would be a special treat kinda thing. I might try 1 see how it goes.

[theartbook35]

Crayfish claws are ment to come off like the end of some lizards tails. Its a defence to help them get away.

And somehow that makes the idea better?

"Oh yeah, well, they are supposed to come off, so it's okay to just rip them off. After all, the crayfish is gonna get eaten anyways."

I'm sorry but that's just mean.

[tammi]

Heck taking the claws off would be easy. A few years back I had a snake that was hurt and I had to force feed it pinkies.
But first I had to humainly put them down. So claws would be an easy thing.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Crayfish claws are ment to come off like the end of some lizards tails. Its a defence to help them get away.

And somehow that makes the idea better?

"Oh yeah, well, they are supposed to come off, so it's okay to just rip them off. After all, the crayfish is gonna get eaten anyways."

I'm sorry but that's just mean.

Its really not the same thing -_-

Its a simple twitch of there muscle. You do not physically have to do anything. Just holding the claw they pop it off even though you caused no harm.

[jozzep]

I break the claws off crayfish for the reasons jozzep said also so turtle doesnt get hurt while trying to eat it.

In that case... I'd have to feed my turtles crawdaddies that are already prepared, like canned or something. I'm not big on the idea of breaking something's arms off, and then feeding it to a turtle which will typically disembowel it. I have nothing wrong with live food, but the live food shouldn't be tortured either.

Then just feed them something else......

[untsmurf]

Anything that you feed live is going to get tortured. Turtles can't eat anything whole, so they food is going to feel pain. Even if they were swallowed whole, I don't imagine it feels too good for the food.

Just a thought.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

I don't put any fish in my tank. Just another thing to clean up after!