crayfish

Any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans in superfamily Astacoidea or Parastacoidea, resembling the related lobster but usually much smaller.

(New England, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota) A freshwater crustacean (family Cambaridae), sometimes used as an inexpensive seafood or as fish bait.

(Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) A rock lobster (family Palinuridae).

(Australia) A freshwater crayfish (family Parastacidae), such as the gilgie, marron, or yabby.

(Singapore) The species Thenus orientalis of the slipper lobster family (Scyllaridae).