>>More on topic, most crayfish need to be in single species tanks; they are very dangerous to fish and amphibians, even individuals that are as large as the crayfish.>>



Is that so? I have no idea that crayfish are dangerous to fish and amphibians. I do know that I can find them in the same streams as some species of western newts (genus Taricha), and they seem to coexist without problem. Perhaps it is because of the toxicity of the newts themselves.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Newt



The article above suggests that introduced crayfish can be a problem, but they nevertheless are unable to feed upon the adult newts, even though they are believed to cause a decline in newt populations because they feed on larvae and eggs.



>>Most of the big salamanders that CKing mentioned (though I disagree with his assessment of them; I love my lesser sirens, and would keep other big paedomorphic salamanders if I could) will prey on any small enough crayfish. Hellbenders eat little else.>>



Personally there is not a single salamander species that I find unattractive, and that includes the sirens, mudpuppies, amphiumas and hellbenders. I was merely speculating on what most people may think of the appearance of these salamanders. I think they are ugly by most standards, except to those who know them as well as many biologists and I do.



>>Crayfish are wonderful tank inhabitants, just not with salamanders.>>



As I said, I don't find crayfish attractive. I would much rather keep a salamander than a crayfish. I think most people in this forum would agree on that point.

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