The Crayfish While we were surveying Kilgard Creek, we found a crayfish in the lower end of the creek. Here is some information on the common crayfish. The common crayfish, Astacus fluviatilis, appears to be very similar to a small lobster. The crayfish, however, is usually a dull green or brown color, with a pale yellow underside and red on the limbs. They are usually found walking in shallow waters and are most active during the evening, as they are intolerant of too much heat or sunshine. During the day, they shelter themselves under the shade of stones and banks. They are rarely seen in the winter, as they dig themselves natural cervices and burrows to use as shelter. They crayfish is not particular about food and, if supplied with enough, a full grown crayfish will consume several times its own weight in one year. They will feast on the living or dead, fres or carrion, animal or vegetable. Typical foods for the crayfish are insect larvae, tadpoles, and water snails. Crayfish are also known to be cannibalistic, eating their sick or dying relatives. There are two distinct sexes of crayfish. The female is distinguished from teh male by her jointed tail, which is much broader than the male's, particularly in the middle. They both have large antennae, or feelers, that are used to continually explore their immediate surroundings. A crayfish of a year old is on average 2 inches long. At two years, they are almost 3 inches, at three years they are about 3.5 inches, at four years 4.5 inches and at five years they are up to approximately 5 inches long. They may grow up to 7-8 inches and live up to 15-20 years, given favourable living conditions and an adequate food supply. The crayfish reach their reproductive maturity in their fifth or sixth year. The females are usually laden with eggs, from one to 200, around March. These eggs are hatched in June or July. These newly hatched crayfish spend their first few days attached beneath their mother's tail. In British Columbia, there are three common types of crayfish: Pacifastacus leniusculus Klamathensis, Pacifastacus leniusculus leniusculus, and Pacifastacus leniusculus trowbridgii. All three hold a status of being currently stable in B.C. Crayfish are only somewhat pollution tolerant, therefore they are usually only found in good to fair quality water. Here are some pictures of the cray fish we found. He was a pretty big one!!!