Get the underwater plants established before adding the craws. You need underwater plants like American Pondweed, Sago Pondweed etc. to get established before adding the craws. Or be prepared to annually stock Tilapia OR spray the FA every two weeks.
Does this mean that without other plants growing, FA will take all the nutrients and flourish?
That's how I took it. Trading one thing for another. Nutrients WILL get used.
Slow additions of these guys to the pond is currently in the works. I think they are either:
The virile crayfish (or northern crayfish) is reddish brown or green, without prominent markings. The pincers are green or blue green with orange tips; in adults, the pincers are conspicuously studded with whitish or yellowish knobs. Paired dark blotches run lengthwise along the abdomen. The rostrum (pointed, noselike structure between the eyes) has conspicuous notches or spines near its tip.
or
The water nymph crayfish is greenish brown or brown, with no prominent markings. The pincers are green or blue green and are usually tipped with orange; the pincers of adults have white or yellow knobs. Paired dark blotches run lengthwise along the abdomen.
Descriptions between these two are so similar that I can't say for sure. Traps have been producing handfuls. Looking to be the right size to feed the current population of LMB (7-9") and maybe one of our adventureous YP on the smaller sized crays.
Estimated wieght so far is approx 1/2 lb. Efforts continue as the creek is slowly starting to dry up from our standard lack of rain in the summer months.
1.5acre LMB, YP, BG, RES, GSH, Seasonal Tilapia I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine
