Small Sydney Crayfish
Scientific name: Euastacus australasiensis
Click to enlarge image
Euastacus australasiensis, Female Crayfish with eggs
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© 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
