Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Crayfish questions

If one is planning on raising crayfish for harvest and eating, it would be a good idea to stock the larger sized types/species that are used primarily for food. A good example would be the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) or the white river crayfish (Procambarus zonangulus). Red swamp crayfish are comonly found in California irrigation ditches so it should not be problem to have them where you live.

Better crayfish ponds are basically wetlands or shallow ponds (usu 12"-24" deep). A well managed 0.3 acre crayfish pond can produce around 300 lbs of crayfish. Many fish eat crayfish especially the young ones. Other predators are turtles, bullfrogs, herons, egrets, cormorants, raccoons, and otters, One fish that usually does not eat crayfish is the gold fish. Using other fish with crayfish usually results in few harvestable numbers of crayfish. For more information on raising crayfish check with County Agents, University extension service or state aqaculture programs.