The largest of NZ's 2 species. Can weigh up to 15Kg, almost twice the weight of the common red crayfish.The taili s shorter and smoother than the red crayfish tail. The young animal is green and becomes yellow-brown in maturity.

They live on reefs at depths ranging from 5–275 metres

Carniverous

Crayfish must moult their shells to grow and mating can only occur when the female has moulted and her new shell is still soft.
Commercially harvested. Recreational limit 3 per person, tail width must be 216 mm.

Collins: Gunson