Species Identification

Crayfish are omnivores that eat dead and living animals and plants. This helps keep their freshwater ecosystems clean. They are also important food for many animals. Unfortunately, non-native crayfish can be invasive and out compete native species for food and space. This, combined with their eating of many fish and amphibian eggs, reduces biodiversity.

Native Crayfish of the Columbia Basin

  • Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)
  • Pilose crayfish (Pacifastacus gambelii)
  • Snake River pilose crayfish (Pacifastacus connectens)
  • Klamath signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus klamathensis)

Non-native Crayfish of the Columbia Basin

  • Northern (or virile) crayfish (Faxonius virilis): Utah, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming
  • Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): Idaho, Utah, Washington, and Oregon
  • Rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus): Oregon
  • Northern ringed crayfish (Orconectes neglectus): Oregon
  • Sanborn’s crayfish (Orconectes sanbornii): Washington
  • White River crayfish (Procambarus acutus): Washington
Native signal crayfish
Signal Crayfish
Northern Crayfish
Northern (Virile) Crayfish
Red Swamp Crayfish
Red Swamp Crayfish