The Ins and Outs of Crawfish

There’s no need to be intimidated by these lobsters of the south.
We’ll teach you all that’s needed to have a successful, hot and juicy crawfish boil.

Keeping Your Crawfish Alive

To keep live crawfish in a state of dormancy, regulate temperature to a consistent 36-42 degrees.

If a refrigeration unit is not available, not to worry! An ice chest and ice will be sufficient. If you choose to place them in an ice chest, open the plug and keep the chest tilted to keep water from accumulating at the bottom.

Cooking & Eating Your Crawfish

Follow this recipe when preparing one sack of crawfish.

Pinch’n Tails Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crawfish?

Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans that are close relatives of the lobster. In the south, crawfish are commonly sold for cooking in Cajun boils.

When can I eat crawfish?

That old myth that shellfish should only be eaten in months containing the letter “r” can be put to bed! We’ve got your source for healthy, safe, sizable crawfish any time of the year!

What’s the difference between a crawfish and a crayfish?

There isn’t one. These are just two of the names used when referencing this particular crustacean, depending on what part of the country you live. Other popular names for crawfish are crawdads, mudbugs, freshwater lobsters, mountain lobsters, ditch bugs, and yabbies.

How are crawfish able to live out of water?

Crawfish have gill chambers that take oxygen from the air. If crawfish are in a humid atmosphere, they can live outside of water for about 6-7 months as long as their gill chambers remain wet.

What do crawfish eat?

A crawfish's favorite food is soft, decomposing plant matter; however, they will eat just about anything – algae, snails, insects, plants, dead fish, etc. Crawfish are cannibals and will even consume other crawfish that are molting.

How long is a crawfish’s lifespan?

Crawfish live not much longer than 1½ to 2 years. They usually reach maturity anywhere from 2 to 6 months.

What's the deal with a straight tailed crawfish?

There’s a saying that you shouldn't eat a boiled crawfish with a straight tail because that means the crawfish was dead before it was cooked. When a crawfish is boiled, the tail curls up; however, if a crawfish was really cold or just near death before being cooked, it may not curl up its tail and is still good to eat. The best way to determine if a crawfish was dead is to inspect the meat – if it falls apart, don't eat it.

What’s the difference between red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish?

The two main species of crawfish in Louisiana are red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish. Red swamp crawfish have red pigment in their bodies and have a blue blood vessel under their tails. White River crawfish have no red pigment at all and have no blue blood vessels. When they are boiled, both species turn red; however, the red swamp crawfish will be a deeper red.

How do I make sure my crawfish will survive until I can boil them?

Keep them cool with ice packs or ice. If you use ice, be sure to drain the water frequently. DO NOT let them sit in cold water for a long time or they will die! When traveling with crawfish, a few of them will die naturally due to the stress of being moved, etc.

Why would I want to suck the head of a boiled crawfish?

The head of the crawfish contains an organ called the "hepatopancreas" which contains fat and is very rich in flavor. Many people call this the "fat" of the crawfish. However, crawfish actually contain very little fat. Cajuns suck the head to get this "fat," but you could just dig it out with your finger. No matter how you get it, don’t miss out on this delicious part of the crawfish.

New to Crawfish?