By I, Duloup, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Link
Red Swamp Crayfish
| Scientific Name | (Procambarus clarkia) |
|---|---|
| Classification and Permitting Level | 1 - Prohibited Aquatic Nuisance Species |
| Species Description | Body ranges in length from 5.5-12 cm with dark red with elongated head and claws. The chelipeds (legs with claws) have bright red tubercles. |
| Preferred Habitat | Freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams with mud or sand bottoms. Softer bottom near the shoreline and deadfall is preferred for burrowing tunnels. |
| Reason for ANS Designation | Consumption of fish eggs. Burrows into shoreline for shelter, causing erosion. This species can displace native species of crayfish through competition for food and shelter. |
| Place of Origin | Red swamp crayfish native range stretches the gulf coast of the Florida panhandle to Mexico and up the Mississippi river drainage to Illinois. Expansion in the United States is likely from aquaculture, the food market, bait releases, and the aquarium trade. |
| Stopping the Spread | Never release unused bait back into a waterbody, and do not attempt to stock a new species into a waterbody. Besides usually being illegal, new introductions may disrupt the current ecosystem. |
| Additional Information | USGS Fact Sheet |