A Review of the Culture and Diseases of Redclaw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (Von Martens 1868)

Abstract

The redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, is a freshwater decapod crustacean displaying a number of physical, biological, and commercial attributes that make it suitable for commercial aquaculture. Interest in redclaw crayfish, both for aquaculture and aquarium trade, has resulted in wide translocations of the species within Australia, south-east Asia, and Central/South America. The redclaw aquaculture industry has been growing rapidly since the mid-1980s in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Redclaw aquaculture is done mostly in extensive pond systems, but interest in developing more intensive systems is increasing. The present manuscript reviews current knowledge and trends of redclaw aquaculture, and areas where further research is needed are identified. Nutrition and reproduction of redclaw were recently reviewed in other manuscripts and those are summarized here. The present manuscript emphasizes environmental tolerances, diseases, aquaculture techniques, and marketing. © by the World Aquaculture Society 2013.