Why are my Thai Micro Crabs always hiding?

They are naturally cryptic animals that rely on camouflage and dense cover to survive in the wild. If they feel secure in a tank with plenty of moss and floating plant roots, they will hide less, but it is entirely normal for them to remain out of sight for days at a time.

Will Thai Micro Crabs eat my baby shrimp?

No, they are completely harmless to shrimp fry. They lack the aggression, speed, and claw strength to hunt even the smallest baby shrimp, preferring to eat biofilm and detritus instead.

How do I know if my crab is moulting or dead?

A moult is typically a translucent, hollow shell that is often split cleanly at the back. A deceased crab, on the other hand, will appear opaque, often turning a dull pink or white colour, and its body will remain completely solid.

Can I keep Thai Micro Crabs in a community fish tank?

It is highly discouraged unless the fish are exceptionally small, such as micro-rasboras. Most standard community fish, including Bettas, Guppies, and Tetras, will view these tiny crabs as food and peck at them.

What is the best way to feed them?

Because they are shy and slow to react, broadcast feeding with powdered foods or providing established moss and Indian almond leaves ensures they have constant access to microscopic food particles without having to compete with faster tankmates.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Thai Micro Crab

Limnopilos naiyanetri

A fascinating, completely peaceful, and exceptionally tiny crustacean, the Thai Micro Crab is perfectly suited for dedicated planted nano aquariums.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C
pH range: 6.5 – 7.5
Hardness: 6 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 1 – 1.5 cm
Nano tank: 10 litres+
Lifespan: 1 – 2 years
Diet: Omnivore/Detritivore
Water flow: low
Preferred setup: Heavily planted with dense mosses, floating plants with long roots, and leaf litter. Mature tank essential.

About the Thai Micro Crab

Discovered in the early 1990s, the Thai Micro Crab (Limnopilos naiyanetri) is one of the only fully freshwater spider crabs available in the aquarium trade. Measuring barely a centimetre across the carapace, these delicate invertebrates resemble tiny aquatic spiders. They are entirely peaceful and spend their days foraging among plant roots and mosses, using specialised hairs on their claws to filter microscopic food particles from the water. Because they do not possess the destructive or predatory traits of larger crabs, they are highly sought after by nano aquarium enthusiasts.

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Where Thai Micro Crab comes from

Native range

Tha Chin River Basin

Countries / regions

Thailand

Habitat

Sluggish, slow-moving rivers, found almost exclusively clinging to the tangled roots of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

They have an incredibly restricted natural range and rely heavily on specific floating vegetation in their native habitat.

Similar species

Pom Pom Crab
Ptychognathus barbatus
Panther Crab
Parathelphusa pantherina

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Both are completely peaceful, share identical water parameters, and will happily cohabit without competing or showing aggression.
Great
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
An exceptionally small and peaceful micro-rasbora that poses absolutely no predatory threat to the delicate crabs.
Great
Ramshorn Snail
Planorbarius corneus
Peaceful invertebrate tankmates that help break down detritus, complementing the crab's scavenging lifestyle.
Great
Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta)
Betta splendens
Bettas are naturally curious and predatory towards small invertebrates; they will easily hunt and consume Thai Micro Crabs.
Not recommended
Dwarf Chain Loach
Ambastaia sidthimunki
Loaches are specialised crustacean and snail hunters and will quickly make a meal of these tiny, defenceless crabs.
Not recommended

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