<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-04-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001093207</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CROSSROADS SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRDS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001323945</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CERF DAVID</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CROSSROADS SYSTEMS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>8300 NORTH MOPAC EXPRESSWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AUSTIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>78759</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec. VP of Bus. Development</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jennifer Ray (Attorney-in-Fact)1</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
