Murray Crayfish

Echuca Moama Fishing

Also known as the Spiny Freshwater Crayfish (Euastacus spp) the Murray Cray large species - Murray cray is the second largest freshwater crayfish in the world growing to a carapace length often greater than 150 mm.

Streams containing abundant instream debris and vegetation.  Burrows underground during the warmer months

Breeding occurs late winter to early spring.  Females carry the eggs under the tail for up to five months.  Spiny freshwater crayfish are slow growing and may take up to nine years to reach breeding maturity.

Fungi and bacteria in rotting debris, also an opportunistic carnivore, especially of carrion.

Freshwater crayfish are usually caught using hoop nets, which lie flat on the river bottom, with a suitable bait secured to the net.  Can be abundant at times and are subject to size and bag limits, which should be closely observed.

Females "in berry" or carrying young are totally protected and should be quickly returned to the water