Category: Invertebrate
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Crustacea
Family: Palinuridae

Other Names:
Crayfish, Green
Crayfish, Smooth Tail

Notes
The largest of NZ's 2 species. Can weigh up to 15Kg, almost twice the weight of the common red crayfish.The tailis shorter and smoother than the red crayfish tail. The young animal is green and becomes yellow-brown in maturity. Crayfish must moult their shells to grow and mating can only occur when the female has moulted and her new shell is still soft.
Commercailly harvested. Recreational limit 3 per person, tail width must be 216 mm.

References
Collins: Gunson