Red Swamp Crayfish

The red swamp crayfish is a North American crayfish that has been taken to many parts of the world to be farmed for food and has become invasive wherever it has got into the wild. It is recognized by its dark red body, large bumpy claws and the black wedge-shaped stripe on top of its tail; blue, orange and white forms also exist in the hobby.

Legal and ethical warning: It is on the European Union's list of invasive alien species; keeping, breeding, selling and transporting it are banned in the EU. It carries crayfish plague and can transmit it to native crayfish (in Türkiye, the narrow-clawed crayfish, Pontastacus leptodactylus); it also damages wetlands by digging burrows into the banks. Check the current regulations for its legal status in Türkiye. Never release it into the wild.

• 100 liters or more for a single individual; a sturdy cave.
• 18–25°C, moderately hard to hard, alkaline water; it tolerates a wide range of parameters.
• A heavy lid without gaps; it climbs and escapes.
• A strong filter; it produces a lot of waste.

Omnivorous and greedy. It eats crayfish tablets, granules, blanched vegetables, dried leaves and animal protein.

Aggressive and territorial. It catches fish, shrimp and snails; it cuts and uproots plants and digs up the decor.

Good companions: It should be kept alone.

Avoid: All fish, shrimp, snails, live plants and other crayfish.