Genus Astacus refers to a group of freshwater and marine crustaceans commonly known as crayfish. This genus belongs to the family of Astacidae, which also includes other species such as Astacus leptodactylus, Astacus astacus, and more. Some people may refer to crayfish by other names, such as crawfish, mudbugs, crawdaddies, and even yabbies in Australia. These creatures are highly adaptable to their environment and can thrive both in freshwater and saltwater. Their name Astacus is derived from the Greek word "astakos," which means lobster. Despite sharing similarities, crayfish are distinct from lobsters due to their smaller size and freshwater habitat.