Euastacus valentulus (Powerful Spiny Crayfish)
Species Account
A large Australian freshwater species with a wide distribution from southeast Queensland into northern New South Wales from the Currumbin Creek catchment to the Richmond River catchment. Occurs at elevations up to 600 m in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and cleared agriculture areas with at least some natural vegetation along the stream banks. A robust species with well developed spines on the thorax and abdomen including abdominal segments 2–4; chelipeds with well-defined groove on upper carpus (wrist). Body red, green, orange, yellow or brown; chelipeds and walking legs with bluish tinge. Carapace length to over 80 mm. — John W. Short, 2026
Image
Specimen from Cougal Creek, southeast Queensland, Australia, D. Cook, November 2000. Photographed by John W. Short.