All "softshell" crayfish are some specie of crayfish that has just molted their old hard shell. Thus the new outer shell or exoskeleton is soft and pliable and gradually hardens in several days. Softshells could be any specie of crayfish. Lobsters have a softshell whenever they molt out of the old hard exoskeleton.
If the specie or name of the crayfish is important to you, you better learn how to recognize at least one or better,,, two unique features or characteristics of the specific crayfish you are seeking. I always question the identification ability of anyone selling crayfish as bait. I even have had fish farms mix lots of rusty crayfish in with papershell crayfish. Many do not know the specific morphological differences among the species. They are not as easily as sport fish to visually identify and separate into species.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 01/31/16 06:52 PM.
