Rusty crawfish*

The rusty crawfish is native to Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, but it has become invasive in at least 17 states throughout the U.S., from Maine to New Mexico. Because it is a popular baitfish, this crawfish has probably been introduced into new waters accidentally by recreational fishing. Most people may not be familiar with the risks that these creatures can pose to new environments. Rusty crawfish can establish themselves in new areas easily, as females can lay 500 eggs or more at a time. The rusty crawfish is a voracious and opportunistic eater, and can change the ecology of regions it invades by reducing the abundance and diversity of plants and aquatic life where it lives. Because it can eat twice as much as native crawfish, it also has the potential to outcompete and overtake the local crawfish population. The rusty crawfish is caught for commercial consumption in some areas, and can be eaten like any other type of crawfish. Because they live in the mud, crawfish are generally purged in fresh water for several hours prior to eating to flush out any contaminants. However, care should be taken to adhere to state laws, some of which prohibit the capture of live rusty crawfish (which means they can’t be adequately purged before cooking).

*Contaminants unknown, no incidents reported.