Procambarus crayfish control: Encouraging predators

Overall effectiveness category Unlikely to be beneficial
Number of studies: 3
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

30%
Certainty

60%
Harms

0%

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Background information and definitions

High levels of predation, especially from fish, may help to reduce crayfish population density. A study of red swamp crayfish introduced to Portugal (Correia 2001) found that mammal predators included red fox, otter, common genet and Egyptian mongoose but not weasel, polecat, stone marten, badger or wild cat. The study reported important bird predators as night heron and white stork, and to a lesser extent little egret, purple heron and grey heron.

Correia A.M. (2001). Seasonal and interspecific evaluation of predation by mammals and birds on the introduced red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea, Cambaridae) in a freshwater marsh (Portugal). Journal of Zoology, 255, 533-541.

Key messages

Two replicated, controlled studies in Italy found that eels fed on the red swamp crayfish and reduced population size.
One replicated, controlled studyfrom France in 2001 found that pike predated red swamp crayfish.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

One replicated, controlled laboratory study conducted in 2006 on specimens from wetlands and irrigation ditches in Italy (Aquiloni et al. 2010) found that the eel Anguilla anguilla, preyed effectively on red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii compared with the control tank (no predator). Different sizes of crayfish were preyed upon at a similar rate (one crayfish every four days/eel). The number of dead crayfish in tanks increased when the crayfish were moulting. Crayfish were weighed and measured and placed within four aerated plastic tanks (100 cm diameter, 30 cm depth). Three tanks held 10 hard-shelled, male crayfish of one size class and an eel. There were three size classes in total. One tank had 10 crayfish but no eel (control). Over 14 days, the number and weight of crayfish preyed upon were recorded. Dead crayfish were replaced with live individuals and experiments were replicated five times.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Aquiloni L, Brusconi S, Cecchinelli E, Tricarico E, Mazza G, Paglianti A & Gherardi F (2010) Biological control of invasive populations of crayfish: the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) as a predator of Procambarus clarkii. Biological Invasions, 12, 3817-3824.
A second replicated, controlled study conducted in 2007 in a canal in Italy (Aquiloni et al. 2010) found that the eel Anguilla anguilla, preyed effectively on red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii compared with the control tank (no predator). The eels predated more on smaller than on larger crayfish. Crayfish were measured and placed in cages (50 x 50 x 200 cm; 2 mm mesh width) that were 3 m apart from each other. Each cage held five hard-shelled, male crayfish of one size class. Three size classes were used in total. In half of the cages, an adult eel was placed. The other cages were controls (no eel). Over 20 days, once a week, number and size of dead crayfish was recorded.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Aquiloni L, Brusconi S, Cecchinelli E, Tricarico E, Mazza G, Paglianti A & Gherardi F (2010) Biological control of invasive populations of crayfish: the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) as a predator of Procambarus clarkii. Biological Invasions, 12, 3817-3824.
One replicated, controlled study in France (Neveu 2001) in 2001 found that pike Esox lucius predated red swamp crayfish. Pike of 40-50 cm could eat crayfish above 8 cm in length, although smaller pike tended to eat smaller crayfish. Predation remained equally high when fish prey (rudd) were available as an alternative source. Experiments were conducted in experimental water enclosures measuring 3 x 5m placed within small ponds. Crayfish refuges were created from tree branches and pike refuges from floating sheets of polystyrene. Six water enclosures contained pike of 16-46 mm length. Four of these had small rudd as alternative food for the pike. Red swamp crayfish of wide size range were added ad libitum to each pond and predation allowed for 15 days. Two additional control enclosures included crayfish added in the absence of any pike. No mortality was observed. Crayfish mortality was measured by draining ponds and collecting the remaining crayfishes.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Neveu A (2001) Can resident carnivorous fishes slow down introduced alien crayfish spread? Efficacy of 3 fishes versus 2 crayfish species in experimental design. Bulletin Français de la Pêche et de la Pisciculture, 361, 683-704.

Please cite as:

Aldridge, D., Ockendon, N., Rocha, R., Smith, R.K. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Some Aspects of Control of Freshwater Invasive Species. Pages 555-87 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Control of Freshwater Invasive Species

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Procambarus crayfish control: Draining the waterway Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	0	Synopsis Link
Procambarus crayfish control: Sterilization of males Action Link	Likely to be beneficial	1	Synopsis Link