Murray crayfish have large white claws and a dark olive/grey/black carapace, all of which are covered in short robust spikes.

[2] Murray crayfish feed predominantly on decaying aquatic plant matter but will also eat dead animals.

The range of the Murray crayfish extends to over 700 m above sea level in large and small upland streams and several upland impoundments,[2] and to relatively low altitudes in the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers; historically its distribution extended throughout the southern Murray–Darling basin,[2] but fishing pressure and environmental change has resulted in the species no longer being found in the Murray River downstream of Mildura.

Like all Euastacus species, Murray crayfish prefer cool, fast-flowing water, deep pools, boulder-rich streambeds, and areas with extensive riparian vegetation.

In New South Wales and Victoria these include a minimum size, bag and possession limits, and a ban on taking females with eggs.