Yabby
(Cherax destructor)

Currently not found in Michigan

Identification: Smooth-shelled and typically varies in color from olive-green to brown, but can also be blue, yellow, red or black depending on the habitat. Can reach a length of 4-8 inches. It possess broad, spade-like claws, a short, smooth rostrum (spine between eyes), and are vigorous burrowers.

Habitat: Native to Australia. It prefers swamps, streams, rivers and reservoirs. May be found in bodies of water that dry up seasonally where they can survive for long periods of time lying dormant in deep burros in the mud or substrate.

Reproduction: Females can produce up to 1000 eggs per spawning when fully grown. Females will spawn twice or more each season. Eggs are small, oval, and green in color and take 19-40 days to hatch.

Impact and Damage: Potential crayfish plague vector as well as a vector for Thelohania parastaci. Omnivorous, feeding primarily on rotting vegetation. It is somewhat opportunistic, eating anything it comes across, including other Yabbycray fish. Can destroy integrity of dam walls due to burrows.

Currently, Yabby are not found in Michigan's waters. However, this species is common in aquaculture and is gaining popularity as an aquarium species.

Prevent the spread of this invasive speices:

• Don’t use Yabby for aquariums, aquaculture, or bait.
• Don’t transport water or any aquatic organisms between water bodies.
• Don’t release aquarium or food crayfish into local waters. ​
• Report suspected sightings of Yabby quickly for successful early detection rapid response efforts. 

More information about Yabby is available from the US Fish and Wildlife Service at http://www.fws.gov/injuriouswildlife/pdf_files/Cherax_destructor_WEB_9-15-2014.pdf.