TankBud

Panda crab

Lepidothelphusa cognettii

Also known as Borneo rainbow crab, Highlander crab, Borneo panda crab, Sarawak land crab, Panda ninja crab

FreshwaterCrab

Panda crab (Lepidothelphusa cognettii)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
0.6 in
1.5 cm
Minimum tank
16 gal
60 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Gecarcinucidae
Origin
Southwestern Sarawak, Borneo

Overview

The panda crab is a small, social freshwater crab from Borneo for a species paludarium with plenty of water. It is for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The panda crab's scientific name, Lepidothelphusa cognettii, covered every white and black stream crab from Sarawak until 2015. Then Grinang and Ng split out five more species, each living in its own patch of hill country around Kuching. That is why the hobby's panda crab is often sold with a cf. in front of its name.

Caring for the panda crab

Panda crabs are not fish tank animals and belong in a species paludarium of 16 gal (60 L) or more. They are far more aquatic than vampire crabs, and they need cool, clean, moving water more than they need land. Split the space roughly 60 to 70 percent water and 30 to 40 percent land. Add gentle to moderate flow from a small pump, plenty of stone and leaf litter, and a tight lid.

Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), and do not let it sit above 25°C for long. Aim for a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 with some hardness, keep it well oxygenated and never add copper.

They want protein, such as small insects, bits of fish or shrimp, snails and frozen foods. Add a little vegetable matter on the side. Give molting crabs quiet cover.

Keep panda crabs in a group of five or more. They are social and squabble only briefly over space and females. They leave snails, isopods and springtails alone and generally ignore shrimp. They develop directly, and the female releases fully formed young, but breeding them is hard.

Good to know

Lepidothelphusa cognettii is a semi-terrestrial gecarcinucid crab, described by Nobili in 1903 from Sarawak. The type specimen measures about 12 mm across the carapace, and adults span less than 4 cm across the legs. The body is cream to white, with light yellow at the front and on the claws and pale blue toward the rear. Trade animals have dark purple to black legs. Grinang and Ng based the 2015 split on a close look at colors, claws and gonopods. The five new species are L. flavochela, L. limau, L. loi, L. padawan and L. sangon. A shop's panda crab may be one of those, and some keepers think the common trade form is L. padawan. It can be expected to live 2 to 3 years.

In the wild

Panda crabs come from shaded springs and seeps in the sandstone hills of southwestern Sarawak, Borneo, between about 200 and 1200 m. They hide in wet rock crevices and leaf litter under primary forest.

Common questions

What size tank does a panda crab need?

A panda crab needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a panda crab need?

A panda crab is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a panda crab eat?

A panda crab wants protein, such as small insects, bits of fish or shrimp, snails and frozen foods. Give it a little vegetable matter on the side.

How big does a panda crab get?

An adult panda crab reaches about 0.6 in (1.5 cm).

How does a panda crab breed?

A panda crab develops directly, and the female releases fully formed young. Breeding it is hard.

Related species