Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This morning I noticed that a small crawfish that lives with my baby spiny softshell had molted during the night (again). The turtle was on the bottom, munching away at the old exoskeleton. A good source of calcium, perhaps?
I am a little concerned with this crawfish and it's rapid growth. Right now it "rules" on the bottom while the turtle spends the majority of it's time in the shallow area. Sometimes the turtle trys to steal food from the crawfish. And succeeds. Anyway, I am afraid the crawfish might get big enough to be a threat to the turtle. It is growing that fast.

as long as there is enough food for both & a hiding spot for the crawfish you shouldn't have any problems.unless the crawfish is very large the softshells speed & manuverability (& that razor sharp beak!)should just make them interesting tankmates.until the turtle eats the crawfish,that is.
p.s.i'm sitting 4 feet from a 30 long with a 2.5 in crawfish,a couple of silver dollar sized fla softies,& a half dozen 2in cooters and maps.its kind of fun to watch a turtle & a crawfish duel over a sunken pellet or minnow part!

Sounds like a very cool setup. I'm going to set up a big turtle tank one fine day.

Actually crayfish are a major part of the diet of North american softshells. I would be surprised if the crayfish lived a long time . If the crayfish is large and the turtle sdmall ther eis a seriosu danger. Don't forget that softies skin breaks easily and those claws are sharp. Plus there is the REAL danger of parasites transfer. There are at least two organisms known to be harbored by crayfish which have been transferred to turtles.
I would remove the crayfish immediately.