Small Sydney Crayfish

Scientific name: Euastacus australasiensis
  • Updated
    15/12/20
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Female Crayfish with eggs Click to enlarge image
Euastacus australasiensis, Female Crayfish with eggs Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Euastacus
    Species
    australasiensis
    Order
    Decapoda
    Class
    Malacostraca
    Subphylum
    Crustacea
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    6 cm

Introduction

The Small Sydney Crayfish prefers relatively undisturbed areas and is found in freshwater creeks and streams in Sydney. This crayfish is commonly referred to as a freshwater lobster, spiny lobster or spiny crayfish.

Identification

The Small Sydney Crayfish's body is covered in blunt spines, particularly on the tail and the claws. Its colour varies dramatically and specimens found in the Blue Mountains are bright red and look like they have been cooked. Those found in Sydney are a brown-red colour with rows of blunt spines and large red-tipped claws.

Habitat

The Small Sydney Crayfish lives in freshwater.

Distribution

The Small Sydney Crayfish is found in the Sydney area to Wollongong and Blue Mountains.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia