What Is the Difference Between a Crayfish and a Crawfish? An Easy Guide to Telling Them Apart

The crayfish, also known as the big-head shrimp, lobster, crawfish, or Northeast China crayfish, belongs in animal taxonomy to the phylum Arthropoda, class Malacostraca, family Astacidae (Cambaridae), genus Astacus. It looks very similar to the lobster that lives in the ocean, which is why it is called the "freshwater lobster." It has high edible value. Let's take a look below at the difference between the crayfish and the crawfish!

The shell of the crawfish is brownish-red, while the shell of the crayfish is blue-green.

The shell of the crawfish has obvious shell spines and raised marks, while the crayfish has a smooth surface with no obvious bumps or shell spines.

The crawfish's pleopods are short and thick, while the crayfish's pleopods are slender.

The crawfish has a large head, while the crayfish has a large tail.

The crawfish has a strong muddy flavor with a fragrant, fishy taste, while the crayfish tastes fresh and delicious with a slightly sweet texture.

The first pair of chelae of the crawfish is mostly slender with obvious shell spines, while those of the crayfish are smooth, plump, and rounded.

The crawfish has low requirements for its habitat water environment; in many slightly polluted field ditches in the south, it can survive normally. The crayfish has almost harsh requirements for its habitat water conditions. Any pollution will cause it to die out, and it is especially sensitive to chemical pesticides and fertilizers.