Description
The Thai micro crab, Limnopilos, is the world’s smallest crab kept in freshwater aquariums.
This Thai micro crab grows only to 10 mm and is therefore suitable for nano aquariums from 10 liters. Limnopilos naiyanetri is a purely aquatic creature and does not need to climb above the water surface, as is the case with other crabs. It has a characteristic round shape armor. They are more or less colorless. They can put their long legs under their carapace in case of danger, just like spiders. Their hairy claws collect small food and detritus from the roots of the plant and substrate. Powder feeds are ideal for them.
They feel best in groups and love the roots of floating plants. They like to hide and can also dig into the substrate. You can keep micro crabs with shrimps, small fish, peaceful snails and mussels. Coexistence with crayfish or other crabs is not recommended as micro crabs may be considered as live food.
In nature, these crabs reproduce through the larval stage in fresh water, but unfortunately it has not yet been established what exact conditions they need for development and breeding has not yet succeeded in captivity. However, females normally wear yellow eggs on their tummy. As with most crabs, sex can be distinguished by the shape of the pleotelson (armor at the bottom of the body). In females, it is circular, covering almost the entire lower part, so that they can carry eggs on it. In males it is smaller and narrow.
