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Red Claw Crab
Perisesarma bidens
📍 Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia)
The Red Claw Crab is a semi-aquatic species native to Southeast Asia, recognizable by its distinctive red claws and compact body. These crabs are moderately aggressive and require both aquatic and terrestrial zones in their tank setup. They are popular in the hobby but demand careful tank mate selection and specific environmental conditions.
Care Guide
Diet
Red Claw Crabs are opportunistic omnivores that consume algae wafers, blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini), small invertebrates, and biofilm. Supplement with quality sinking pellets and occasional live or frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp. Feed small amounts 2-3 times per week, removing uneaten food after 24 hours.
Behavior
These crabs are primarily nocturnal and spend much of their time foraging on the substrate and climbing on décor. They are territorial and will fight with conspecifics and may prey on smaller tank mates or shrimp. They require access to both water and land; provide driftwood, rocks, or a floating platform for emergence and resting.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. Females produce larvae that require brackish water to develop, making freshwater breeding impractical. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught or commercially bred in specialized facilities.
Tank Mates
Hardy plant that crabs cannot easily damage; provides cover and foraging surfaces
Durable plant that crabs will not consume; creates biofilm for grazing
May be predated upon by crabs; provide plenty of hiding spots and hard shells for protection
Small fish at risk of predation; only suitable in larger tanks with ample hiding spaces
Nocturnal and armored; less likely to be preyed upon; similar habitat preferences
Inert décor that provides grazing surfaces and shelter without risk of predation
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion / Molt Issues
Soft or pitted exoskeleton, difficulty molting, lethargy, loss of limbs
Ensure adequate calcium and minerals in water; provide cuttlebone or calcium supplements; maintain proper pH and hardness; ensure proper humidity in terrestrial zone
Bacterial Infection / Fungus
White or fuzzy growth on body or claws, discoloration, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform 25% water changes; improve water quality and tank hygiene; isolate if possible; use aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon) or antifungal treatment; ensure adequate aeration
Parasitic Infection (Flukes, Mites)
Excessive scratching, visible parasites on body, lethargy, difficulty molting
Quarantine affected crab; treat with appropriate parasite medication; perform frequent water changes; improve tank conditions; avoid copper-based treatments
Limb Loss / Autotomy
Missing claws or legs, bleeding or open wounds
Isolate injured crab to prevent further injury from tank mates; maintain pristine water quality; provide protein-rich foods to support regeneration; limbs will regrow over successive molts
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - detritivore with carnivorous tendencies
- lifespan
- 2-3 years
- max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)