Sydney Giant Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus spinifer)

The Giant Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus spinifer) is one of two species of freshwater spiny crayfish found in the Sydney region. Although they are often referred to as Yabbies, they are distinctively different from the true Yabbie (Cherax destructor). Along the bottom edge of the claws in all Euastacus crayfish there are spines present, whereas in other types of freshwater crayfish this edge is completely smooth. Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus sp.) are slow growing, can take 5-10 years to reach