Overview
The Kisatchie painted crayfish (Orconectes maletae) is an elusive, freshwater crayfish found in streams of northeast Texas and Louisiana. While there are few historical records for this species, the Kisatchie painted crayfish is believed to be restricted to the Kisatchie Bayou and Bayou Teche watersheds in Louisiana, and the Cypress Creek watershed in Texas. Crayfish, in general, are keystone species that may indicate the health of a watershed. Recent field surveys determined that the Kisatchie painted crayfish was absent from 60% of its historical range in Texas. Given the small range of this crayfish, habitat loss and invasive crayfish species may negatively impact the Kisatchie painted crayfish. It is listed as a species of special concern by the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program.
Crandall, K.A. and J.E. Buhay. 2007. Global diversity of crayfish (Astacidae, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae—Decapoda) in freshwater. Hydrobiologia 595:295—301.
Taylor, C.A., G.A. Schuster, J.E. Cooper, R.J. DiStefano, A.G. Eversole, P. Hamr, H.H. Hobbs, H.W. Robison, C.E. Skelton, and R.F. Thoma. 2007. A reassessment of the conservation status of crayfishes of the United States and Canada after 10+ years of increased awareness. Fisheries 32:372—389.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Food
Generally, crayfish diet consists of decaying organic material from plants and animals, as well as algae, aquatic invertebrates and other crustaceans and mollusks.
Behavior
Very little is known about the Kisatchie painted crayfish’s behavior, however, it is dependent on water and spends most of its time in stream environments. Based on other crayfish, it is likely most active at night, or nocturnal, and spends most of the daytime under rocks, stream banks or other underwater hiding places. Crayfish walk forward slowly using their five pairs of jointed legs, but can swim fast backwards by rapidly curling their abdomen with its flipper-like tail underneath the body. This allows them to escape predators.
Life Cycle
The Kisatchie painted crayfish is reproductively active in September and October, which is unlike other crayfish that generally reproduce in the spring. The male crayfish molts prior to reproduction, and again in the winter into the non-reproductive form. Female crayfish carry the eggs on special appendages on the tail until they hatch in May.
Citations: Clifford 1991. Aquatic invertebrates of Alberta. Edmonton Alberta, Canada: University of Alberta Press.
McCarley, J.L. 2019. The status of the Kisatchie painted crayfish (Faxonius maleate) in Louisiana. Master’s Thesis, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas.
Juvenile crayfish hatch from eggs in May and stay attach to the tails of their mother until they are able to swim freely.
Male crayfish exist in two forms:
- The reproductive form - which occurs generally in the fall
- The non-reproductive form the rest of the year
Clifford 1991. Aquatic invertebrates of Alberta. Edmonton Alberta, Canada: University of Alberta Press.
McCarley, J.L. 2019. The status of the Kisatchie painted crayfish (Faxonius maleate) in Louisiana. Master’s Thesis, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas.
Kisatchie painted crayfish generally live about two years.
Walls, J.G. 1985. Distribution and natural history of the crawfish Orconectes difficilis (Decapoda: Astacidae) in Louisiana. Southwestern Naturalist 30: 189-194.
Habitat
Little is known about the habitat requirements of the Kisatchie painted crayfish. The species was historically collected in freshwater streams with sand, gravel, mud or silt streambeds in northeast Texas and Louisiana. However, the Texas habitat is more stagnant and muddier when compared to Louisiana. Kisatchie painted crayfish may prefer streams with varying water depth, heavy leaf litter and cobble-lined stream bottoms.
Walls, J.G. 1985. Distribution and natural history of the crawfish Orconectes difficilis (Decapoda: Astacidae) in Louisiana. Southwestern Naturalist 30:189-194.
A natural body of running water.
A dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract.
Physical Characteristics
The Kisatahie crayfish weighs from 0.10 to 1.06 ounces (3 to 30 grams).
McCarley, J.L. 2019. The status of the Kisatchie painted crayfish (Faxonius maleate) in Louisiana. Master’s Thesis, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas.
Kisatchie painted crayfish are characterized by an olive-colored hard upper shell, known as a carapace, and red markings on the chelae, or claws, and legs, as well as above the eyes.
Measurements
Length: 2.0 to 4.0 in (50 to 102 cm)
McCarley, J.L. 2019. The status of the Kisatchie painted crayfish (Faxonius maleate) in Louisiana. Master’s Thesis, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas.
The Kisatchie painted crayfish is olive-colored over most of its body, but gets it common name from the red markings that look like they were painted on the claws, legs and above the eyes.
McCarley, J.L. 2019. The status of the Kisatchie painted crayfish (Faxonius maleate) in Louisiana. Master’s Thesis, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas.
Geography
The Kisatchie painted crayfish has a small range in northeast Texas and central Louisiana.
McCarley, J.L. 2019. The status of the Kisatchie painted crayfish (Faxonius maleate) in Louisiana. Master’s Thesis, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas.