diving.voyage
Crayfish

Marine life profile

Crayfish

Recorded at 406 dive sites

Where divers encounter it

Explore Crayfish around the world

Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans belonging to the infraorder Astacidea, which also contains lobsters. Most stay close to cover, emerging to feed, clean other animals or defend a small shelter.

Dive sites406
Countries32
Animal groupCrustaceans
Safety profileGenerally Harmless

Meet the species

What to look for

How to Recognize It

Look for a jointed shell, paired antennae and articulated legs adapted for walking, digging or gripping.

How It Behaves

Most stay close to cover, emerging to feed, clean other animals or defend a small shelter.

Special Ability

A tough external skeleton provides portable armor and is replaced as the animal grows.

Dive responsibly

Share the water well

How to Approach

Settle nearby and wait. Avoid touching antennae, claws or the shelter, especially during a night dive.

Safety

Observe without handling. Claws and defensive spines can injure, and recently molted animals are especially vulnerable.

Worth knowing

The detail you remember

Interesting Facts

Taxonomically, they are members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea.

Where to Find

Search beneath ledges, inside coral heads, around anemones and across rubble after sunset.

Known countries

New ZealandAustraliaGermanySouth AfricaUnited StatesMexicoRomaniaPolandFranceUnited KingdomHungaryJapan