FRESHWATER CRAYFISH
(Paranephrops zealandicus)
Synonymy: Koura, crawfish
Freshwater
crayfish belong to a group of animals known as the crustaceans.
There are two species found in New Zealand. The species found
on the west coast and top of the South Island is Paranephrops
planifrons and also occurs in the North Island, whereas the
species found to the east of the South Island’s Southern
Alps is Paranephrops zealandicus. Southern Encounter Aquarium’s
freshwater crayfish are P. zealandicus - they have
a body up to 8cm in length, and have hairier pincers and shorter
antennae than their west coast relatives. They are found in
streams, lakes, ponds and swamps of all sizes, especially those
which have either gravelly or muddy bottoms. Often they are
found sheltering under rocks or in mud burrows, which they dig
to survive dry spells.
| They
are the largest of the lake dwelling invertebrates, lake
koura reaching a greater size than those living in rivers
and streams. Freshwater crayfish can become extremely abundant
in summer months. |
 |
Did
you know?
Usually freshwater crayfish are brown in colour, but around
Alexandra in the South Island one blue population exists. It
is not known whether this is due to the animal’s diet,
the environmental conditions it is subject to or perhaps even
its genetic makeup. An example of these amazing animals can
be found in the Southern Encounter Glowworm Tunnel.
