You are Here - Articles - Useful Facts

Signal Crayfish

These destructive little immigrants from across the pond were introduced accidentally into this country having been brought over here for aquarists. I say accidentallybut sadly I am sure some of the initial stocks entering our rivers got there when aquarists found that the blighters have a taste for any fish that they can get a hold of (an acquaintance of mine introduced one to her tank and she asked me what I thought of it, I suggested boiling water and a suitable dressing. Next day she came to me tearfully with the news that all her guppies were gone and the crayfish had a satisfied look upon it's mug).

No doubt many people discovered this flaw in the plan to add colour to there aquarium and dumped the offending crustaceans in the drink (river, pond or toilet bowl) from where they have progressed to pest proportions undermining river banks, eating spawn, and fry and generally being a real and present danger to our indigenous fish stocks.

If you find a water containing these beast report it to the local authority right away and buy a good cookery book with recipes for cooking the buggers! You might as well enjoy exterminating them, they taste real good.