Thai Micro Crab
Limnopilos naiyanetri
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 5 gal (20 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Thailand
- Family
- Hymenosomatidae
Overview
Keep it peaceful and in a group, since it is shy and does better with company, in a planted nano tank of around 20 liters or more. It stays on the bottom and among plants, almost never out in the open. Water should be soft to neutral, pH 6.5 to 7.5, at 22 to 28 C, and it needs stable, mature water with no copper. Feed fine powdered foods, crushed flakes, and biofilm. Only keep it with very small, calm tankmates, as most fish will harass or eat it.
In the wild
The Thai micro crab comes from one river system in Thailand, where it clings to submerged roots, plants, and floating vegetation in slow, slightly acidic to neutral water. It is tiny and stays hidden among fine plant matter rather than walking open ground. To keep it, set up a small, mature, heavily planted tank with mosses, fine-leaved plants, and lots of clutter for it to grip. Hold the water in the low to high 20s C.
Good to know
This is one of the smallest freshwater crabs, in the family Hymenosomatidae, with a body only about 2.5 cm across including its legs and a much smaller carapace. It is fully aquatic and stays in fresh water its whole life, unlike many crabs that need brackish conditions to breed. Its legs are covered in fine hairs that help it gather food, and wild populations are vulnerable to habitat loss.
Did you know
It is partly a filter feeder. It holds the hairy parts of its front legs out into gentle current and combs tiny particles from the water, then brings them to its mouth. Because it is so small and slow, it's easy to lose track of in a busy tank, which is why a quiet nano setup suits it best.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- Flip Aquatics Quarantined shrimp, snails and nano fish
- The Shrimp Farm Freshwater shrimp, snails and crayfish with a live arrival guarantee
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Thai Micro Crab?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
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