Cherax quadricarinatus

(von Martens, 1868)

Vernacular names
English : Common red-clawed crayfish
French : Écrevisse à pinces rouges

Classification
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Parastacidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to more than 20 cm in length for a weight of 600 g. Broad and powerful pincers with a red margin on the outside edge. Head shows conspicuous longitudinal ridges. Coloration is greyish-green to almost blue.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in Australasia, in the south of Papua New Guinea and north Australia (Northern Territory, to Western Australia and south Queensland). Lives in freshwater rivers and lakes, billabongs.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species seems to be common and tolerant of changes in its habitat. It has been introduced in many other countries where considered a pest.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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