Photo: Sean Murray from Edinburgh, Scotland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Thai micro crab
Limnopilos naiyanetri
1 cm
Adult size
20 L
Minimum volume
—
Minimum group
1 years
Lifespan
Size: carapace width.
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Limnopilos
- Diet
- detritivore
- Social life
- small group
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Adult habitat
- fresh water
- Breeding
- Not known
In the wild
Overview
The Thai micro crab has a small round carapace and thin, hairy legs. It lives hidden among roots and submerged vegetation. Discreet and mostly nocturnal, it is best watched in a planted tank where large fish cannot catch it.
- Scientific name
- Limnopilos naiyanetri Chuang & Ng, 1991
- Classification
- Decapoda › Hymenosomatidae
- IUCN Red List
- Not evaluated (NE)
Natural habitat
Thailand
Native countries Rivers and lakes
This fully aquatic micro crab lives hidden among roots and submerged vegetation. The sources consulted say nothing more about its natural habitat.
Behaviour
Peaceful, discreet and mostly nocturnal, it spends the day hidden in roots and mosses. It picks biofilm, algae and debris and leaves the other residents alone.
In the aquarium
Care and setup
Prepare a mature aquarium rich in mosses, roots and refuges. Protect the small individuals from predators and keep water conditions steady. Unlike the semi-terrestrial vampire crabs, this species is kept underwater.
Feeding
It picks biofilm, algae and debris, and accepts small sinking foods made for invertebrates.
Breeding
The source gives no successful, repeatable breeding method in the aquarium; raising the larvae remains to be documented.
Sources:Aquarium Dietzenbach GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth