Editing Crayfish (section)

== Uses ==

{{Multiple image
| header = Human uses
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| image1 = Crawfish Boil.jpg
| caption1 = Crayfish, boiled with potatoes and corn
| image2 =  Pet-crayfish-(Clippy-II)-in-freshwater-aquarium-with-apple-snail.jpg
| caption2 =  A pet crayfish, ''[[Procambarus clarkii]]'' in a freshwater aquarium
| image3 =  Crayfish Pendant MET DT4899.jpg
| caption3 = Golden crayfish pendant, [[Veraguas culture]], [[Chiriquí Province|Chiriqui]], Panama, c. 11th to 16th century AD
}}

=== Culinary use ===
{{Cookbook|Crawfish}}{{main|Crayfish as food}}

Crayfish are eaten worldwide. Like other edible crustaceans, only a small portion of the body of a crayfish is eaten. In most prepared dishes, such as soups, [[Bisque (food)|bisques]] and [[étouffée]]s, only the tail portion is served. At [[seafood boil|crawfish boils]] or other meals where the entire body of the crayfish is presented, other portions, such as the claw meat, may be eaten.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

Research shows that crayfish do not die immediately when boiled alive, and respond to pain in a similar way to mammals. Then the stress hormone cortisol is released and this leads to the formation of lactic acid in the muscles, which makes the meat taste sour. Crayfish can be cooked more humanely by first freezing them unconscious for a few hours, then destroying the central nervous system along their abdomen by cutting the crayfish lengthwise with a long knife down the center of the crayfish before cooking it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alström |first=Vivvi |date=2023-08-12 |title=Forskning visar: Kräftor känner smärta när de kokas levande |language=sv |work=SVT Nyheter |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/visst-gor-det-ont-nar-kraftor-kokas |access-date=2023-08-12}}</ref>

Global crayfish production is centered in Asia, primarily China. In 2018, Asian production accounted for 95% of the world's crayfish supply.<ref>{{cite web |title = Global Aquaculture Production: Procambarus clarkii, 1990-2018 |url = http://www.fao.org/figis/servlet/SQServlet?file=/usr/local/tomcat/8.5.16/figis/webapps/figis/temp/hqp_7058869486391224748.xml&outtype=html |website = FAO Fisheries Division |publisher = Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |access-date = 21 March 2021 }}</ref>

Crayfish is part of [[Swedish cuisine]] and is usually eaten in August at special [[Crayfish party|crayfish parties]] ({{langx|sv|Kräftskiva}}). Documentation of the consumption of crayfish dates to at least the 16th century. On the Swedish west coast, [[Nephrops norvegicus]] ({{lang|sv|Havskräfta}}, {{lit|sea crayfish}}) is more commonly eaten while various freshwater crayfish are consumed in the rest of the country. Prior to the 1960s, crayfish was largely inaccessible to the urban population in Sweden and consumption was largely limited to the upper classes or farmers holding fishing rights in fresh water lakes. With the introduction of import of frozen crayfish the crayfish party is now widely practiced across all spheres in Sweden and among the [[Swedish-speaking population of Finland]].<ref>Po Tidhom (2004). "The Crayfish Party". The Swedish Institute. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2006.</ref>

In the United States, crayfish production is strongly centered in [[Louisiana]], with 93% of crayfish farms located in the state as of 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title = Table 18. Crustacean Sales by Species: 2018 and 2013 |url = https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/Aquaculture/aqua_1_0018_0018.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191219201907/https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/Aquaculture/aqua_1_0018_0018.pdf |archive-date = 19 December 2019 |url-status = live |website = 2018 Census of Agriculture |publisher = USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service |access-date = 21 March 2021 }}</ref> In 1987, Louisiana produced 90% of the crayfish harvested in the world, 70% of which were consumed locally.<ref>{{cite journal |year = 1990 |journal = SRAC Publication |issue = 242 |title = Crawfish production: harvesting, marketing and economics |author = Larry W. de la Bretonne Jr. |author2 = Robert P. Romaire |name-list-style = amp |url = http://www.aquanic.org/publicat/usda_rac/efs/srac/242fs.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101212111732/http://aquanic.org/publicat/usda_rac/efs/srac/242fs.pdf |archive-date = 12 December 2010 }}</ref> In 2007, the Louisiana crayfish harvest was about 54,800 tons, almost all of it from [[aquaculture]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://text.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/4687F896-C5C5-47D6-A4F4-1F4455760816/46429/CrawfishHarvestStatistics7807.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120402060519/http://text.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/4687F896-C5C5-47D6-A4F4-1F4455760816/46429/CrawfishHarvestStatistics7807.pdf |archive-date = 2 April 2012 |year = 2009 |publisher = Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana |title = 1978–2007: Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources }}</ref> About 70–80% of crayfish produced in Louisiana are ''[[Procambarus clarkii]]'' (red swamp crawfish), with the remaining 20–30% being ''[[Procambarus zonangulus]]'' (white river crawfish).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/our_offices/research_stations/Aquaculture/Features/extension/Classroom_Resources/The+Difference+Between+Red+Swamp+Crawfish+and+White+River+Crawfish.htm |title = Differences Between Red Swamp Crawfish and White River Crawfish |work = The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center |access-date = 25 February 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718211025/http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/our_offices/research_stations/Aquaculture/Features/extension/Classroom_Resources/The+Difference+Between+Red+Swamp+Crawfish+and+White+River+Crawfish.htm |archive-date = 18 July 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Optimum dietary nutritional requirement of freshwater crayfish, or crayfish nutrient specifications are now available for aquaculture feed producers <ref>{{Cite journal |url =  |doi = 10.1038/s41598-020-76692-0 |title = Recycling biofloc waste as novel protein source for crayfish with special reference to crayfish nutritional standards and growth trajectory |year = 2020 |last1 = Lunda |first1 = Roman |last2 = Roy |first2 = Koushik |last3 = Dvorak |first3 = Petr |last4 = Kouba |first4 = Antonin |last5 = Mraz |first5 = Jan |journal = Scientific Reports |volume = 10 |issue = 1 |page = 19607 |pmid = 33177672 |pmc = 7658255 |bibcode = 2020NatSR..1019607L }}</ref>

Like all crustaceans, crayfish are not [[kosher]] because they are aquatic animals that do not have both [[fin]]s and [[scale (zoology)|scales]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://trianglek.org/kosherdefined.html |title = Kosher defined |access-date = 1 December 2010 |publisher = [[Triangle K]] }}</ref> They are therefore not eaten by observant [[Jew]]s, and some Christian denominations.<ref name="Meyer-Rochow 2009">{{cite journal |last = Meyer-Rochow |first = Victor Benno |title = Food taboos: their origins and purposes |journal = Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |date = 2009 |volume = 5–18 |pages = 18 |doi = 10.1186/1746-4269-5-18 |pmid = 19563636 |pmc = 2711054 |doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kashrut |url=https://www.ourrabbis.org/main/halakhah-mainmenu-26/kashrut-mainmenu-34 |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=www.ourrabbis.org}}</ref>

=== Bait ===

Crayfish are preyed upon by a variety of [[ray-finned fish]]es,<ref name="Web 2002">{{cite web |last = Web |first = Animal Diversity |title = Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Orconectes propinquus, northern clearwater crayfish: INFORMATION |website = BioKIDS |date = 16 September 2002 |url = http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Orconectes_propinquus/ |access-date = 27 July 2018 }}</ref> and are commonly used as [[fishing bait|bait]], either live or with only the tail meat. They are a popular bait for catching [[catfish]],<ref>{{cite web |last = Samsel |first = Jeff |title = 5 Great Catfish Baits |website = Game & Fish |date = 5 August 2005 |url = https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/5-great-catfish-baits/245174 |access-date = 13 February 2021 |archive-date = 8 November 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211108152833/https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/5-great-catfish-baits/245174 |url-status = dead }}</ref> [[largemouth bass]], [[smallmouth bass]], [[striped bass]],<ref name="Bass Fishing Gurus 2015">{{cite web |title = Striped Bass Feeding Facts and Information |website = Bass Fishing Gurus |date = 4 March 2015 |url = https://bassfishing-gurus.com/striped-bass-feeding-facts-and-information/ |access-date = 27 July 2018 }}</ref> [[perch]], [[Northern pike|pike]]<ref name="Funny Fishing Tshirts & Fishing Gifts - Fish Face 2017">{{cite web |title = The Key to Locating Bass, Walleye or Pike |website = Funny Fishing Tshirts & Fishing Gifts – Fish Face |date = 25 August 2017 |url = https://www.fishface.com/-fishing-hunting-outdoor-blog/locating-bass-walleye-pike-with-crayfish |access-date = 27 July 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180727212242/https://www.fishface.com/-fishing-hunting-outdoor-blog/locating-bass-walleye-pike-with-crayfish |archive-date = 27 July 2018 |url-status = dead }}</ref> and [[muskellunge|muskie]]. When using live crayfish as bait, anglers prefer to hook them between the eyes, piercing through their hard, pointed beak which causes them no harm; therefore, they remain more active.<ref name="Bean 2011">{{cite web |last = Bean |first = Richard Alden |title = Crayfish: What Better Spring Bait For Bass? |website = Game & Fish |date = 6 April 2011 |url = http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/fishing_bass-fishing_crayfish_what_better_spring_bait0411/ |access-date = 27 July 2018 }}</ref>

When using crayfish as bait, it is important to fish in the same environment where they were caught. An [[Illinois State University]] report that focused on studies conducted on the [[Fox River (Illinois River tributary)|Fox River]] and [[Des Plaines River]] watershed stated that [[rusty crayfish]], initially caught as bait in a different environment, were dumped into the water and "outcompeted the native clearwater crayfish".<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url = http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/ctap2/Chp%205.pdf |chapter = Fox and Des Plaines Rivers Watershed |title = Critical Trends in Illinois Ecosystems |publisher = [[Illinois Department of Natural Resources]] |year = 2001 |access-date = 10 February 2009 |archive-date = 27 March 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090327041058/http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/ctap2/Chp%205.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> Other studies confirmed that transporting crayfish to different environments has led to various ecological problems, including the elimination of native species.<ref>{{cite book |url = http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/aquaticplan.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080909204843/http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/aquaticplan.pdf |archive-date = 9 September 2008 |url-status = live |title = Tennessee Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan |author = Tennessee Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force |year = 2007 |publisher = [[Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency]] }}</ref> Transporting crayfish as live bait has also contributed to the spread of [[zebra mussels]] in various waterways throughout Europe and North America, as they are known to attach themselves to exoskeleton of crayfishes.<ref name=HaGov>{{cite web |title = Hawaii Risk Analyses and Management for Dreissenid Mussels |url = https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ais/files/2014/02/Hawaii-Dreissena-Mussel-Assessment-2012.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141030053210/http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ais/files/2014/02/Hawaii-Dreissena-Mussel-Assessment-2012.pdf |archive-date = 30 October 2014 |url-status = live |page = 3 |publisher = US Fish & Wildlife |date = 2012 |access-date = 27 July 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Nonindigenous Aquatic Species 2005">{{cite web |title = zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) – Species Profile |website = Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |date = 16 November 2005 |url = https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=5 |access-date = 27 July 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://sfbay.wr.usgs.gov/benthic_eco/exotic_species/next.html |title = The History and Effects of Exotic Species in San Francisco Bay |author1 = J. Thompson |author2 = F. Parchaso |author3 = A. Alpine |author4 = J. Cloern |author5 = B. Cole |author6 = O. Mace |author7 = J. Edmunds |author8 = J. Baylosis |author9 = S. Luoma |author10=F. Nichols |publisher = [[United States Geological Survey]] |date = 13 December 2007 |access-date = 10 February 2009 |archive-date = 1 July 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130701135651/http://sfbay.wr.usgs.gov/benthic_eco/exotic_species/next.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>

=== Pets ===

Crayfish are kept as pets in freshwater aquariums. They prefer foods like shrimp pellets or various vegetables, but will also eat tropical fish food, regular fish food, algae wafers, and small fish that can be captured with their claws. A report by the [[National Park Service]]<ref name="abebault">{{cite web |author = abebault |website = Google |url = https://www.nps.gov/laro/learn/education/upload/Crayfish-facts.docx |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170216180121/https://www.nps.gov/laro/learn/education/upload/Crayfish-facts.docx |url-status = dead |archive-date = 16 February 2017 |title = Crayfish Facts |date = May 2013 |access-date = 27 July 2018 }}</ref> as well as video and anecdotal reports by aquarium owners<ref name="YouTube 2018">{{cite web |title = YouTube |website = YouTube |date = 12 April 2018 |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kliDZyD5KnU |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/kliDZyD5KnU |archive-date = 30 October 2021 |access-date = 27 July 2018 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> indicate that crayfish will eat their moulted exoskeleton "to recover the calcium and phosphates contained in it."<ref name="abebault"/>  As omnivores, crayfish will eat almost anything; therefore, they may explore the edibility of aquarium plants in a fish tank. However, most species of dwarf crayfish, such as ''[[Cambarellus patzcuarensis]]'', will not destructively dig or eat live aquarium plants.<ref name = petshrimp>{{cite web |author = Gerald Pottern |title = Mexican dwarf orange crayfish, ''Cambarellus patzcuarensis'' |url = http://www.petshrimp.com/articles/cpatzcuarensis.php |access-date = 13 October 2010 |archive-date = 28 July 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180728223247/http://www.petshrimp.com/articles/cpatzcuarensis.php |url-status = dead }}</ref>

In some nations, such as the [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]], imported alien crayfish are a danger to local rivers. The three most widespread American species invasive in Europe are ''[[Faxonius limosus]]'', ''[[Pacifastacus leniusculus]]'' and ''[[Procambarus clarkii]]''.<ref name="lee-james">{{cite web |author = James R. Lee |title = TED Case Studies Crayfish Plague #478 European Crayfish Dispute |date = 5 December 1998 |url = http://www.american.edu/TED/crayfish.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090110015542/http://www.american.edu/TED/crayfish.htm |archive-date = 10 January 2009 |access-date = 20 January 2008 }}</ref> Crayfish may spread into different bodies of water because specimens captured for pets in one river are often released into a different catchment. There is a potential for ecological damage when crayfish are introduced into non-native bodies of water: e.g., [[crayfish plague]] in Europe, or the introduction of the common yabby (''Cherax destructor'') into drainages east of the Great Dividing Range in Australia.<ref name=auzoo>{{cite journal |author1 = Coughran, J |author2 = Mccormack, R |author3 = Daly, G |title = Translocation of the Yabby ''Cherax destructor'' into eastern drainages of New South Wales, Australia |journal = Australian Zoologist |volume = 35 |year = 2009 |pages = 100–103 |doi = 10.7882/AZ.2009.009 |url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271520252 |access-date = 10 May 2018 }}</ref>

=== Education ===
Some [[Education in the United States|public schools]] in the United States keep live crayfish in the classroom and have the students take care of them in order to give the students a greater understanding of the creatures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-01 |title=Crayfish give fourth graders a "pinch" of science education |url=https://www.castlepinesconnection.com/crayfish-give-fourth-graders-a-pinch-of-science-education/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=The Castle Pines Connection |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Sentinel species ===

The Protivin brewery in the [[Czech Republic]] uses crayfish outfitted with sensors to detect any changes in their bodies or pulse activity in order to monitor the purity of the water used in their product. The creatures are kept in a fish tank that is fed with the same local natural source water used in their brewing. If three or more of the crayfish have changes to their pulses, employees know there is a change in the water and examine the parameters.<ref name="Brewery">{{cite news |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-crayfish-water-purity/crayfish-staff-help-czech-brewery-keep-its-water-as-pure-as-can-be-idUSKCN1C22GP |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191025221438/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-crayfish-water-purity/crayfish-staff-help-czech-brewery-keep-its-water-as-pure-as-can-be-idUSKCN1C22GP |title = Crayfish staff help Czech brewery keep its water as pure as can be |work = [[Reuters TV]] |last = Hanrahan |first = Mark |date = 27 September 2017 |archive-date = 25 October 2019 |access-date = 25 October 2019 }}</ref>

Scientists also monitor crayfish in the wild in natural bodies of water to study the levels of pollutants there. This use is makes crayfish an [[indicator species]].<ref name="Brewery" /><ref name="Missouri">{{cite magazine |url = https://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2008/11/clean-water |title = Clean Water |magazine = Missouri Conservationist Magazine |publisher = Missouri Department of Conservation |date = November 2008 |volume = 69 |issue = 11 |access-date = 25 October 2019 |archive-date = 25 October 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191025224345/https://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2008/11/clean-water |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="Meuse">{{Cite journal |first1 = P. A. E. L. |last1 = Schilderman |first2 = E. J. C. |last2 = Moonen |first3 = L. M. |last3 = Maas |first4 = I. |last4 = Welle |first5 = J. C. S. |last5 = Kleinjans |year = 1999 |title = Use of Crayfish in Biomonitoring Studies of Environmental Pollution of the River Meuse |journal = Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |volume = 44 |issue = 3 |pages = 241–252 |doi = 10.1006/eesa.1999.1827 |pmid = 10581118 |bibcode = 1999EcoES..44..241S |issn = 0147-6513 }}</ref>