By Obiabin Onukwugha
Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans belonging to the infraorder Astacidea, which also contains lobsters.
Some species of crayfish are found in brooks and streams, where fresh water is running, while others thrive in swamps, ditches, and paddy fields.
Crayfish breathe through their feather-like gills.
Crayfish are opportunistic omnivorous scavengers, with the ability to filter and process mud. Their food are obtained at the sediment/water interface in ponds, lakes, swamps, or burrows. They feed on animals and plants, either living or decomposing, and detritus.
Crayfish are susceptible to infections such as crayfish plague and to environmental stressors including acidification. In Europe, they are particularly threatened by crayfish plague, which is caused by the North American water mold Aphanomyces astaci.
Crayfish serve as important links in the food chain, feeding on living and dead plants, other invertebrates, and fish. They are a primary food for fish (bass), water birds (herons), mammals (raccoons), and humans.
The presence of crayfish can be an indication for healthy ecosystem as most crayfish cannot tolerate polluted water.
Researchers note that crayfish mate in the autumn and lay eggs in the spring. The eggs, attached to the female’s abdomen, hatch in five to eight weeks. The larvae remain on the mother for several weeks.
Sexual maturity is achieved in a few months to several years. Crayfish can live between 1 to 20 years, depending on the species.
Crayfish, called “ede” in Yoruba, “kifi kifi” in Hausa and “asa” in Igbo is of economic importance as it commands a thriving market share. Its taste both fresh and dried adds unique flavour to meals, as such it is a sought-for ingredient for meals.
Crayfish is a source of nutrient for children. Adding grind crayfish to cereals for children make them grow fast and nourished.
Crayfish hold surprisingly deep symbolic meaning across cultures. The crayfish epitomizes the idea of outer toughness masking inner vulnerability.
Ancient Greek myths described crayfish as sacred to Aphrodite, goddess of love. Here, the crayfish represented a lover wearing a tough facade to hide their emotional sensitivity. Chinese folklore also utilized crayfish imagery to symbolize concealment of one’s true self in social situations.
Some Native American traditions also associated crayfish with themes of renewal, regeneration, and leaving the past behind.