They are closely related to the Big Sandy crayfish (C. callainus), and until recently, the two were thought to belong to the same species.

"[4] The Guyandotte River crayfish can be described as opportunistic omnivores, meaning they will eat both plant materials and animal tissues, depending on accessibility.

"[5] Guyandotte River crayfish movements captured using radio transmitters during the summer mating season suggest that females typically select a shelter to inhabit, and their mate later joins them in the chosen shelter.

[6] Additional evidence captured using radio transmitters supports the theory that Guyandotte River crayfish engage in foraging behaviors at night.

[6] Male Guyandotte River crayfish have been recorded to venture as far as 480 metres (1,570 ft) over a period of seven days.

On the other hand, female Guyandotte River crayfish have been observed to display more home ranging behavior, which means traveling short distances (up to 20 metres or 66 feet) and regularly returning to their original location.

Guyandotte River crayfish live in the benthic habitat in fast moving streams.

Commercial logging, coal mining, and general human population growth and development has increased sedimentation which has reduced habitat availability.

In addition, infilling and sedimentation of streams are leading to habitat fragmentation, resulting in populations being cut off from each other.

[8] A species status assessment has not been developed for the Guyandotte River crayfish at this point.