Yabbie crayfish  (Cherax destructor)

The yabbie crayfish is widely distributed throughout Australia, being present in most of Victoria and New South Wales, as well as southern Queensland, South Australia and parts of the Northern Territory (3).

This semi-aquatic freshwater crayfish is found in several habitats including low-lying swamp ground, streams, rivers and dams. It is dependent upon high oxygen levels in the water and ample vegetation. Muddy or silty-bottomed waterways provide murky water which provides some predator protection. Water temperatures of around 20 – 25 °C are ideal, but the yabbie crayfish can tolerate temperatures down to 1 °C and as high as 35 °C by entering partial hibernation (3).