Crustaceans

Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus)IntroductionRedclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus) is a freshwater crayfish native to parts of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Redclaw are tolerant of a broad range of environmental conditions, have a simple reproductive cycle and fast growth rates which has generated interest in the species for commercial aquaculture and ornamental aquarium use. In Australia, redclaw aquaculture operations exist in Queensland, Northern Territory and New South Wales.The redclaw crayfish has established populations outside of its natural range in six of seven Australian states with Tasmania being the exception. Internationally, introduced populations of redclaw crayfish are known to have established in South Africa, Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Singapore.Redclaw have the potential to impact aquatic ecosystems through modification of natural habitats, direct predation, competition with native species and the introduction of crayfish diseases (Ahyong and Yeo...