Distribution: 

The distribution of this species has been extended as far east as Esperance and as far north as Geraldton and international interest in marron farming has led to the species being introduced into South Africa, Zimbabwe, Japan, USA, China and the Caribbean (Morrissy et al. 1990) as well as several Australian states..

Habits: 

This is a large freshwater crayfish that does not burrow to escape drought. Marron do not grow at temperatures below 12.5oC and grow best at 24oC. Above this temperature, marron growth declines rapidly and mortalities occur when average daily pond bottom water temperatures reach 30oC and above, depending on exposure time (Morrissy 1990, Morrissy 1992a). In sites where the water is cooled by persistent winds, farms have been relatively successful at the northern end of the extended range for marron. Marron will tolerate (though not necessarily reproduce in) salinities ranging from freshwater to 15 parts per thousand (ppt), but low salinities are most suitable for farming, as growth decreases when salinities are above 6-8 ppt (Morrissy et al 1990).

Marron live in waters which generally have pH levels ranging between 7.0 and 8.5 (Morrissy 1976a) but sunrise readings of pH in ponds on relatively successful farms may be in the range of 6.0 - 9.0. Excessive algal blooms can cause extremely high pH values and unstable dissolved oxygen levels. Oxygen levels should be maintained at or above 6 parts per million (ppm) and marron become stressed when levels drop below 3 ppm. As marron are susceptible to low levels of dissolved oxygen, the use of aeration is strongly recommended in ponds to maintain adequate levels and avoid stagnant bottom water or stratification (Morrissy et al. 1984, Morrissy et al. 1990).

Spawning: 

The life cycle of marron in captivity was closed in 1972, at the Fisheries WA South West Freshwater Research and Aquaculture Center at Pemberton. Light, temperature and diet are the key factors, which influence maturation and spawning in marron. Farmed broodstock marron should be at least two, and usually three, years of age as reproductive output depends on size. Marron mate in early spring and the females incubate 200 - 300 eggs for 12 to 16 weeks on pleopods under the tail, from which 150-250 prejuveniles will be released in early summer. Spawning is stimulated by light and temperature. They mate in early spring and the females incubate 450-900 eggs and larvae for 12 to 16 weeks until release in early summer.

Growth: 

Depending upon culture conditions, such as water temperature, nutrition and stocking density, marron can grow to between 60 and 150 g within 12 months and between 100 and 300 g within 24 months. 

Uses: 

They are grown for human consumption. Marron are usually sold live and have a commercial "tail-with-shell" recovery rate of 42 - 43 percent by weight, which is higher than for other cultured freshwater crayfish and compares favorably with marine rock lobsters (Morrissy
et al. 1990).

Culture: 

Culture has been limited by the unavailability of a suitable diet and poor growth and disease problems at high density.

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