Crayfish vs. Crawfish: What’s the Difference?

The words crayfish and crawfish refer to the same animal — a freshwater crustacean that looks like a small lobster.

The difference between them is regional preference, not meaning.

Here’s the quick rule:

• Crayfish → more common in Northern U.S., U.K., Australia, and in scientific contexts
• Crawfish → more common in the Southern U.S., especially Louisiana

They are both correct.

1. Crayfish

Meaning

Crayfish is widely used in scientific writing, dictionaries, and in most English-speaking regions outside the Southern U.S. It refers to the same animal known as a freshwater crustacean.

Examples (10 total)

1. We found several crayfish in the stream.
2. The crayfish hid under rocks.
3. She studied crayfish behavior in biology class.
4. The lake is full of crayfish during summer.
5. He caught a large crayfish with a net.
6. The crayfish scurried across the shallow water.
7. Scientists observed the crayfish population closely.
8. The kids kept a crayfish as a pet for a week.
9. We saw a red crayfish near the waterfall.
10. The crayfish moved backward quickly when scared.

2. Crawfish

Meaning

Crawfish is the preferred spelling in the Southern United States, especially in states like Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.
It also appears often in regional cooking, like crawfish boils.

Examples (10 total)

1. We went to a crawfish boil in Louisiana.
2. He caught a bucket of crawfish in the bayou.
3. The restaurant serves spicy crawfish étouffée.
4. They found crawfish in the muddy water.
5. She loves eating fresh crawfish in spring.
6. The kids played with the crawfish they caught.
7. He ordered a pound of boiled crawfish.
8. The crawfish crawled across the dock.
9. Farmers sometimes trap crawfish to sell.
10. The river is full of wild crawfish.

3. Quick Comparison Table

4. How to Remember

👉 Crayfish = used in more places → “cray = common”
👉 Crawfish = used in the South → “craw sounds Southern”

💡 Memory Trick:

If someone says “crawfish boil,” it’s definitely Southern U.S.

5. Common Mistakes

❌ Crayfishes / Crawfishes (plural)
✅ The plural is crayfish or crawfish (same as singular)

❌ Crayfish and crawfish are different animals
✅ They are the same species

❌ Crawdad is the same word too
🔶 Crawdad is another regional nickname, mainly in the Midwest and South.

6. Humanizey Mention

Tools like Humanizey help refine confusing word choices like crayfish and crawfish, ensuring your writing stays natural and consistent with your target audience.

FAQs

### 1. Is crayfish or crawfish more correct?

Both are correct. The choice depends on regional preference.

### 2. What about “crawdads”?

That’s another regional term used in parts of the Midwest and West.

### 3. Do scientists prefer “crayfish”?

Yes. Scientific and academic writing usually uses crayfish.

### 4. Is the plural “crayfishes”?

No. Use crayfish or crawfish for both singular and plural.

Practice: Choose the Correct Word (“Crayfish” or “Crawfish”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

1. We caught a big ___ in the stream.
2. They went to a Louisiana ___ boil.
3. The biology textbook uses the term ___.
4. The kids played with the live ___.
5. She ordered spicy boiled ___.
6. The scientist studied how ___ survive in cold water.
7. He saw a red ___ near the rocks.
8. The fisherman trapped several wild ___.
9. My cousin from Texas always says ___.
10. Outside the South, most people say ___.

Answers

1. crayfish / crawfish (both correct)
2. crawfish
3. crayfish
4. crayfish / crawfish (both correct)
5. crawfish
6. crayfish
7. crayfish
8. crayfish / crawfish (both correct)
9. crawfish
10. crayfish