F. limosus is approximately 10cm long and has spiny cheeks. Often, they have striped abdomens and legs with orange tips. However, sediment may colour them black.
10cm long. Spiny cheeks. Striped abdomens and legs with orange tips.
F. Limosus lives in rivers, lakes and ponds. It prefers calm, turbid water. Additionally, it is resistant to water pollution, colder temperatures, and dry conditions. F. Limosus can outcompete native species and alter habitat structure. These impacts on the habitat affect freshwater fish that use the shoreline habitat as nurseries.
This species was likely introduced as live bait or an aquarium species.
Spinycheek crayfish are capable of parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction.
Never dump your aquarium contents into waterbodies. If you are unable to care for your aquarium animals, find a suitable alternative to release. This could include rehoming or donation, returning the animal to the retailer, or humane euthanasia. If you see any Spinycheek Crayfish in the wild, report it to the NSISC, on iNaturalist, or to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.