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Also known as Tropical Blue Crayfish and Australian Freshwater Crayfish. 

Redclaw are a moderately large freshwater crayfish.  They have a smooth body which is greenish in colour.  Redclaw are distinguished from other Cherax species by having 4 carinae (or ridges) on the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax - 2 extending posteriorly from the rostrum and 2 on the postorbital region.

Redclaw live in rivers of northern Australia.  Redclaw inhabit permanent fresh water to a depth of 5 metres and are abundant in the headwaters sections of rivers.   They can live in a variety of habitats, from shallow, clear, fast flowing creeks to the deep, still and often turbid waters of billabongs.  Redclaw prefer sites with abundant aquatic vegetation that provides cover.  They leave the water regularly and can exist in stagnant or poor quality waters.

Redclaw spawn throughout the year, although there is less spawning activity in May and June.

Redclaw is also farmed, with spawning stimulated by water temperature rising above 20°C.  Females are capable of producing up to 3 broods in a spawning season.  A Large female can produce from 30 - 1000 eggs per brood.

Redclaw live for 4 to 5 years and reach 90mm carapace length and usually weighing around 300g, although they have been recorded at reaching 600gram.  Both males and females mature after the first year.

Cormorants, herons, eels and water rats are the major predators of Redclaw.

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