Cherax is the most widespread genus of fully aquatic crayfish in the Southern Hemisphere. Together with Euastacus, it is also the largest crayfish genus in the Southern Hemisphere. Its members may be found in lakes, rivers and streams across most of Australia and New Guinea. In Australia the many species of Cherax are commonly known as yabbies. The most common and widely distributed species in Australia is the common yabby (Cherax destructor).