The rusty crayfish is an invasive species that originated in the Ohio River Valley and has since spread to many Midwestern and Eastern states through activities like fishing and being used as pets. It harms native species and ecosystems by outcompeting local crayfish, damaging plants, and reducing populations of other invertebrates and fish. To limit its spread, people should not use rusty crayfish for bait or pets and should properly clean boats and equipment when moving between bodies of water.

1. The “Bully” Crayfish Invader
By Kevin

2. Rusty Crayfish

3. What is the
Rusty Crayfish?
A rusty crayfish is an
invading crayfish
with brown or rust
colored spots on its
sides.
It has two large
claws.
It is about two to
four inches long.

4. Where did the rusty crayfish originate?
Where is it spreading?
How is it spreading?
The rusty crayfish comes
from the Ohio River Valley
which includes Indiana,
Tennessee, Kentucky and
Ohio.
It has spread to many
other states including
states in the Midwest,
Eastern states and some
Western states.
It has spread by
fisherman using them as
bait. People have had
them as pets and turned
them loose. Schools have
used them also.

5. How is it harmful?
It harms other plants and animals
by pushing out the native crayfish. It
damages the plants in the water. It
makes the number of invertebrates
and fish smaller. It also causes
erosion damage.
It harms people by fewer fish so
fisherman can’t catch as many fish.
When people play or swim in the
water, the rusty crayfish pinch
them. They pinch hard.

6. What can we do to stop the spread of rusty crayfish?
•To help from spreading
the Rusty Crayfish you
can eat them.
•We should be very careful not to
spread them to other places. This
could be done by not using them as
fishing bait.
•They should not be taken home as a
pet.
•Boaters should wash all parts of
their boat and fishing equipment
before going to a new water source.

7. Why I think the rusty crayfish is a problem
and what we should do about it.
 It kills other animals
and plants that you would
normally find there. It causes
problems with fishing and
swimming.
We need to stop the spread
of the rusty crayfish.

8. More Pictures of Rusty Crayfish

9. Rusty Crayfish Factsheet
Minnesota Sea Grant
http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/rusty.html
Rusty Crayfish
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
http://www.invadingspecies.com/Invaders.cfm?A=Page&PID=
4
Hybrid Zone Dynamics and Species Replacement between
Orconectes Crayfishes in a Northern Wisconsin Lake
EVOLUTION International Journal of Organic Evolution
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0014-
3820.2001.tb00635.x
Harmful Aquatic Hitchhikers: Crustaeceans: Rusty Crayfish
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service
http://www.protectyourwaters.net/hitchhikers/crustaceans_ru
sty_crayfish.php