Identifying Freshwater Crayfish in South West WA

Koonac

(two species in WA) Cherax plebejus and C. glaber

Koonacs are also relatively large freshwater crayfish, growing up to 200 mm long. However, their distribution is more inland than for marron, and they are often found in seasonal rivers and swamps which dry up during summer.

Koonacs survive because they can burrow to avoid drought and remain in their burrows for months at a time.

Koonacs have four keels on their heads and two are very prominent. Koonacs have no spines on their rostrum or telson. Their chelipeds are unique, being very broad and serrated on the inside edge. Koonacs are usually very dark in colour, ranging from blue-black to mottled brown-black.

Koonac photo and drawings