A large species - Murray cray is the second largest freshwater crayfish in the world. To greater than 150 mm carapace length. Conservation Status Insufficiently known Habitat Streams containing abundant instream debris and vegetation. Burrows underground during the warmer months. Reproduction Breeding occurs late winter to early spring.
Females carry the eggs under the tail for up to five months.
Spiny freshwater crayfish are slow growing and may take up to nine years to reach breeding maturity. Diet Fungi and bacteria in rotting debris, also an opportunistic carnivore, especially of carrion. Angling Freshwater crayfish are usually caught using hoop nets, which lie flat on the river bottom, with a suitable bait secured to the net. Can be abundant at times and are subject to size and bag limits, which should be closely observed. On the table Excellent eating, said by some to be the finest crustacean available anywhere, although the animal has a relatively small tail compared to other crayfish and thus has less edible meat.