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Procambarus fallax (Hagen, 1870)
Slough Crayfish
Federal Protection: No US federal protection
State Protection: No Georgia state protection
Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S4
Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: No
SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): No
SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): No
2025 SGCN Priority Tier: None
Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 0
Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Strongly associated with aquatic vegetation in streams, ditches, and swamps; may be found in simple burrows where water has receded
The carapace of the Slough Crayfish is brownish dorsally with darker irregular splotches; it often has a faint light stripe down its center. There is a dark (blackish) stripe on each upper side, and below the stripe the sides have a brownish-pinkish hue with light irregular splotches. The abdomen has a wide dark dorsal stripe and darker thin stripes on the lower sides. The claws are brownish with dark and light splotches and dark tubercles. The areola is fairly narrow but never obliterated. The rostrum is long, tapering, and has marginal spines or tubercles. A single cervical spine is present. This species reaches a maximum total body length of about 68 mm (2.7 in).
The species possibly confused with Slough Crayfish are Seminole Crayfish (Procambarus seminolae), Peninsula Crayfish (P. paeninsulanus), and White Tubercled Crayfish (P. spiculifer). White Tubercled Crayfish has two pairs of cervical spines while Slough Crayfish has only one. Seminole Crayfish has discrete dark spots on the upper sides of the carapace whereas Slough Crayfish has a dark line in this area. Peninsula Crayfish has dark claws with reddish-orangish tubercles while Slough Crayfish has brown claws with dark and light splotching and dark tubercles.
Slough Crayfish lives in a wide variety of habitats including streams, ponds, ditches, and swamps. It is almost always often found associated with aquatic vegetation. If water levels drop where this species is living, it will burrow (Hobbs 1981).
No studies of the Slough Crayfish are known. Crayfishes are considered opportunistic omnivores and likely feed on live and decaying vegetation, aquatic insect larvae, small fishes, and dead animal matter.
Crayfishes that inhabit open water typically hide during the day and come out at night to feed. Reproduction usually occurs during the spring and fall, but males in reproductive condition may be found at any time during the year. When female crayfish are ready to lay eggs, they usually find a secure hiding place and hence are rarely encountered. When the eggs are released, the female attaches them to her swimmerets and is said to be “in berry.” Upon hatching, the juvenile crayfish are attached to the mother by a thread. After the juveniles molt for the second time, they are free of the mother, but stay close and will hold on to her for some time. Eventually they move off on their own. Crayfishes molt 6 or 7 times during their first year of life and most are probably able to reproduce by the end of that year. Combining Georgia and Florida, male Slough Crayfish in reproductive condition have been collected in every month of the year. In Georgia, only one female with eggs has been collected (July), but they have been found with eggs in every month of the year in Florida, mostly in March. Females with young have been found in Florida in March (42 individuals), April (3), and June (3). The smallest breeding male known is about 30 mm (1.2 in) and the only Georgia female carrying eggs is about 40 mm (1.6 in) in length (Hobbs 1981).
Since this species is found in a variety of habitats, using a seine or dipnet in streams and/or ponds can yield the species. According to Hobbs (1981) this species will almost always be associated with vegetation, so collecting efforts should be focused there.
The Slough Crayfish ranges from the Suwannee and Satilla river systems in Georgia, south through most of peninsular Florida (Hobbs 1981).
This species is threatened in Georgia by land uses within its range that could alter hydrology and water quality. Introduction of non-native species is a threat to all native crayfishes.
This species is fairly common in extreme southern Georgia and is considered stable.
General watershed level protection measures will help secure the continued existence of the Slough Crayfish in Georgia. These include the protection of riparian zones, control of sediment and nutrient runoff from farms and construction sites, and limiting the amount of impervious cover (e.g., pavement) within occupied watersheds. Non-native crayfishes should never be used for bait. Instead, anglers should use crayfishes collected from the river system they will be fishing in and should never release unused bait crayfish back into Georgia waters.
Hobbs, H.H., Jr. 1981. The crayfishes of Georgia. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 318:1–549.
Taylor, C.A., G.A. Schuster, J.E. Cooper, R.J. DiStefano, A.G. Eversole, P. Hamr, H.H. Hobbs III, H.W. Robison, C.E. Skelton, and R.F. Thoma. 2007. A reassessment of the conservation status of crayfishes of the United States and Canada after 10+ years of increased awareness. Fisheries 32:372–389.
Christopher E. Skelton
C. Skelton, August 2012: original account
C. Skelton, March 2019: general update of account.
D.Weiler, September 2019: photo added