This article is about the genus of crayfish. For the modern Greek city, see Astakos. For the ancient Greek city, see Nicomedia. For the mythical figure, see Astacus (mythology).
Astacus (from the Greek αστακός, astacós, meaning "lobster" or "crayfish") is a genus of crayfish found in Europe and western Asia, comprising three extant and four extinct species.

Due to the American crayfish plague, crayfish of this genus have been almost wiped out in Europe and have in many European countries been replaced by the North American signal crayfish, which is often more resistant to the plague.

Extant species


Main article: Astacus astacus
Astacus astacus, the "European crayfish", "noble crayfish" or "broad-fingered crayfish", is the most common species of crayfish in Europe, and a traditional foodstuff. Like other crayfish, Astacus astacus is restricted to fresh water, living only in unpolluted streams, rivers and lakes. It is found from France throughout Central Europe, to the Balkan peninsula, and north as far as parts of the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the western parts of the former Soviet Union. Males may grow up to 16 cm long, and females up to 12 cm.

Main article: Astacus leptodactylus
Astacus leptodactylus, the "Danube crayfish", "Galician crayfish", "Turkish crayfish" or "narrow-clawed crayfish", is a species of crayfish imported and introduced to Central Europe in 19th century from the Caspian Sea region.

Main article: Astacus pachypus
Astacus pachypus, the "Caspian crayfish", is a species of crayfish found in the Caspian Sea, the Don river, and parts of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, where it lives in salinities of up to 14‰.



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