Fauna
Invertebrate

Australian Red Claw Crayfish

Cherax quadricarinatus

Also known as Redclaw, Tropical Blue Crayfish, Freshwater Blueclaw Lobster, Queensland Redclaw

Australian red claw crayfish thrive in slow-moving tropical rivers and billabongs, sheltering inside submerged hollow logs, root tangles, and undercut banks during daylight hours. Adult males develop a striking, soft red patch along the outer edge of each large claw, which they display prominently during territorial posturing. Their high adaptability and fast growth have made them popular in global aquaculture, though escaped populations pose serious invasive threats to native aquatic ecosystems outside their home range.

AquaticNocturnalInvertebrate
Australian Red Claw Crayfish reference1 / 7
(c) Christine Loew, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christine Loew · cc-by
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAquatic Snails, Insect Larvae, Submerged Macrophytes
Predators
  • Barramundi
  • Australasian Darter
  • Freshwater Crocodile
ThreatsHabitat alteration, pollution, and water extraction
HabitatsTropical freshwater rivers, creeks, billabongs, and farm dams
Life span4–5 years
Classification
  1. OrderDecapoda
  2. FamilyParastacidae
  3. GenusCherax
  4. SpeciesCherax quadricarinatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Large claws can deliver a forceful, painful pinch; handle with care behind the carapace.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses muscular, hardened chelae (claws) capable of crushing soft tissue and puncturing human skin.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for prominent blue-green coloration with four longitudinal ridges on the head and red claw patches on males.
What to do
Do not pick up by the claws or legs; lift firmly from behind the head armor if handling is necessary.
Responsible observation
  • Night Spotting: Shine a red or dim flashlight along shallow riverbanks after dark to spot them foraging.
  • Safe Handling: Grasp firmly directly behind the claws on the mid-carapace to avoid strong chela pinches.
  • Biosecurity Awareness: Never transport live specimens between catchments to prevent the spread of invasive stocks.
Related species
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