Australian red claw crayfish

++++++++++++++++++Taxobox | name = Australian red claw crayfish
status = VU
status_system = iucn2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Crustacea
classis = Malacostraca
ordo = Decapoda
subordo = Pleocyemata
infraordo = Astacidea
superfamilia = Parastacoidea
familia = Parastacidae
genus = "Cherax"
species = "C. quadricarinatus"
binomial = "Cherax quadricarinatus"
binomial_authority = Von Martens, 1868

The Australian red claw crayfish, also called Queensland red claw or just redclaw, "Cherax quadricarinatus", is an Australian freshwater crayfish. It is found in permanent freshwater streams, billabongs and lakes on the north coast of the Northern Territory and northeastern Queensland. Populations are also found in Papua New Guinea. Through translocation by humans, the range has spread down to southern Queensland and into the far north of West Australia. This tropical crustacean is very tolerant of environmental changes, and is primarily a detritivore.

Redclaw colour ranges from dark brown to blue-green body and adult males have a distinct red patch on the outer margin of the claws. They can reach up to 600 g. Redclaw are farmed commercially in Queensland and the Northern Territory, and are harvested at between 35 - 130 grams. Redclaw is a sought-after product with a delicate crustacean flavour. They are both non-aggressive in nature and highly fertile, and can therefore be bred in large numbers in captivity. Females, which are smaller than males, spawn approximately 300 olive green eggs which are fertilised from a spermatophore which the male has deposited at the base of her walking legs (periopods) during mating. Fertilised eggs are affixed to the females pleopods situated on the underside of the tale. Incubation takes approximately six weeks and the newly hatched juveniles rapidly become independent.The life cycle is simple and the animal reaches sexual maturity, and harvest size, somewhere between six to twelve months in optimal farmed conditions. Queensland Department of Primary Industries provides information to prospective farmers.

Some variaties of the species may be kept as pets but if the exuvia is removed from the tank after sheding, the crayfish has an 80 percent chance of death. This is because the crayfish requires the calcium from its cast after shedingfact|date=July 2007.

A subspecies known as rainbow lobster can be found off the coast of Thailand. It is sometimes exported to the United States and perhaps other countries to be served in Chinese restaurants. The meat is often sautéed and served with vegetables. [http://www.houseofdynasty.com/hod_dinner_menu.htm] The red claw crayfish is the only legal pet crayfish in the uk.

References

* Listed as Vulnerable (VU A1de v2.3)

External links

*cite web |url=http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/13890.html |title=Redclaw, "Cherax quadricarinatus" |publisher=Queensland Department of Primary Industries |date=2003-12-23