Red Swamp Crayfish
Procambarus clarkii
This record describes Procambarus clarkii (species). Recorded family: Cambaridae. Recorded order: Decapoda.
Identification and Appearance
Dark red in color, elongate chelae with tubercles. Ischia of 3rd and 4th pereiopods of males bearing hooks. Commonly cultured for food
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda (Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp)
- Superfamily
- Astacoidea
- Family
- Cambaridae
- Genus
- Procambarus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Able to tolerate dry periods up to four months. As a result, can be found in moist meadows, small ponds, and swamps, as well as permanent lakes and streams.
Geographic Range
Native to the Southeast U.S., north to the Ohio drainage. Invasive range includes Northeast Illinois, Wisconsin, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Oregon, Washington, and likely other states.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Omnivorous
About Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp: the wider group
Order-level background for Decapoda, the group containing Procambarus clarkii. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Decapoda includes ~15,000 described species of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. Although primarily marine and freshwater, some species like hermit crabs and coconut crabs are fully terrestrial.
Ecological role of the group
Crayfish are keystone species in freshwater ecosystems, influencing water clarity, sediment dynamics, and plant communities. Hermit crabs play vital roles in nutrient cycling on tropical islands.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global shrimp industry alone is worth over $45 billion annually. Crayfish are important aquaculture species and invasive crayfish cause ecological damage estimated in the hundreds of millions annually in Europe and North America.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO fisheries statistics, freshwater ecology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Red Swamp Crayfish (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric Moody
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Swamp Crayfish
What is Red Swamp Crayfish?
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is a species in the family Cambaridae, within the order Decapoda.
How big is Red Swamp Crayfish?
Can weigh over 50g and reach over 12cm in length
How do you identify Red Swamp Crayfish?
Dark red in color, elongate chelae with tubercles. Ischia of 3rd and 4th pereiopods of males bearing hooks.
Where is Red Swamp Crayfish found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Able to tolerate dry periods up to four months. As a result, can be found in moist meadows, small ponds, and swamps, as well as permanent lakes and streams. |
| Range | Native to the Southeast U.S., north to the Ohio drainage. Invasive range includes Northeast Illinois, Wisconsin, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Oregon, Washington, and likely other states. |
What does Red Swamp Crayfish eat?
The diet of the Red Swamp Crayfish includes Omnivorous.