Murray Crayfish

Fisheries Primefact
Primefact Number:     Edition:     Released/reviewed: 

The Murray Crayfish is a 'spiny' crayfish endemic to the southern tributaries of the Murray Darling Basin. This iconic species was once widespread in the Murray and Murrumbidgee River systems in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The species has a relatively wide water temperature tolerance and occurred across a large altitudinal range with an upper limit of approximately 800 m ASL. Unfortunately, Murray Crayfish have suffered major declines in distribution and abundance and are now listed as a threatened species in New South Wales , Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, and are totally protected in South Australia. A range of factors are likely to have contributed to their decline including habitat modification, sedimentation, river regulation, agricultural pesticides, blackwater events, impacts from introduced fish, and illegal fishing activities.

This Primefact contains:

  • Introduction
  • Description
  • Distribution
  • Habitat and ecology
  • Threats
  • Conservation and recovery actions
  • Legal implications, and
  • Additional information
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