Crayfish are small, lobster-like crustaceans that live in freshwater. You might also hear them called crawfish or crawdads. They look a lot like lobsters, which makes sense, because they are close relatives. The big difference is size: crayfish are much smaller. Most crayfish live in freshwater, but some are also found in brackish water (a mix of fresh and salt water) near creeks and river mouths. Crayfish belong to the animal order Decapoda, which also includes crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp, and lobsters.
Habitat Details
Crayfish mostly live in fresh water, especially where the water is moving, like rivers, streams, and brooks. They prefer running water because most species cannot survive in polluted conditions. Still or stagnant water is more likely to become dirty and polluted, since there is no fresh water flowing in to push the dirty water out.
Some species are tougher, though. Procambarus clarkii can survive even in slightly polluted water. Crayfish are divided into three main families. Two of those families live in the Northern hemisphere, and one lives in the Southern hemisphere. The Parastacoidea family (Parastacidae) is found in Australia, Madagascar, and South America. The Astacoidea family, which includes Astacidae and Cambaridae, is found in the western part of Europe and Asia, and in North America.
Where in the World Do Crayfish Live?
Australia is home to about 100 crayfish species, including the marron, red-claw crayfish, yabby, Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish, and western yabby. Madagascar is home to seven species in the genus Astacoides. Seven species from the genera Astacus and Austropotamobius live in Europe, and seven species in the genus Cambaroides are native to Japan.
North America has the most crayfish species of any region on Earth, a whopping 330 species across nine different genera of the Cambaridae family live in the southeastern parts of North America. Wherever they are, crayfish like to hide: under rocks, among submerged logs and twigs, and tucked beneath underwater weeds and grass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do crayfish live?
Mostly in running fresh water (rivers, streams, and brooks) worldwide.
Which continent has the most crayfish species?
North America, with about 330 species in the southeastern United States.
How old are the oldest crayfish fossils?
About 115 million years old, found in Australia.
What do crayfish eat?
Crayfish are omnivores. In the wild they eat decomposing animal matter and decayed leaves.
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Amusing Facts About Crayfish
Crayfish are ancient animals. The oldest crayfish fossils ever found are from Australia, and they are about 115 million years old, that means crayfish were already crawling through rivers while dinosaurs still roamed the Earth!
One disease that affects crayfish is called crayfish plague. It is caused by a water mold called Aphanomyces astaci.
Crayfish are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals, alive or dead. In the wild, they mostly munch on rotting leaves and decomposing animal matter, which they can easily tear apart with their claws. In a tank or aquarium, they eat small fish like minnows and guppies, snails, and algae. They also eat bacteria growing in the tank, which actually helps keep the water clean. That is great news for anyone keeping crayfish as pets!
- Crayfish tail meat is used as fish bait, especially for catching channel catfish, pike, largemouth bass, and muskellunge.
- They are eaten as a delicious treat around the world. The most crayfish are consumed in Scandinavia, Spain, France, China, the United States, Mexico, and Nigeria.
- Their natural predators include turtles, otters, wading birds, and bigger fish.
- As food, crayfish are packed with protein and sodium but have almost no fat and zero carbohydrates.
Crayfish have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton. It makes up a large part of their body. That is why when you eat one, there is not much meat inside, mostly shell. It takes some work to get to the tasty bits! Still, people who have tried crayfish say the effort is well worth it.
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Fun fact for today!North America has more crayfish species than any other continent, over 330!