Abstract: An improved apparatus for deheading and peeling crayfish comprising pairs of gripper assemblies for operative engagement with the head and tail sections of a crayfish, respectively, supported for movement in synchronized relation through separate but tangentially related orbits wherein the pairs of grippers simultaneously move in a common direction through or past the point of tangency of their respective orbits wherein the tail holding gripper assemblies each comprise a lower crayfish pan constructed from flexible rubber or plastic member having an arcuate cross section greater than 180.degree. and a top arm member pivotly mounted above the lower pan to hold the crayfish in the pan during the deheading cycle, the pivoting of top arm member being actuated by a simplified cam assembly.