Species of crawfish that are commercially important in the Southeast United States are the red swamp crawfish, Procambarus clarkii, and the white river crawfish, Procambarus acutus acutus. The development of crawfish culture was stimulated by the year-round demand for crawfish and the seasonality of crawfish catch from natural production areas. 20 years in comparison to other agricultural industries. Development of crawfish culture has made a significant impact on crawfish availability. Crawfish production in Louisiana ranges from 70 to 100 million pounds with ponds producing an average of 60 percent of the catch.
Crawfish culture is now the largest crustacean aquaculture food industry in the United States.
Culture methods used to grow craw-fish are simple when compared to other cultured aquatic animals. Crawfish culture fits into farm management plans by using marginal agricultural lands, permanent farm labor and farm equipment during off-peak farming periods. The average pond is 40 to 60 acres in size. No hatcheries are used to produce young crawfish for stocking ponds nor are formulated rations used to feed crawfish. Rather, young are produced by brood stock contained within the pond, and vegetation is utilized as a forage for the crawfish.