Moderate

Thai Micro Crab

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Limnopilos naiyanetri

Complete Thai Micro Crab care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 5 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Thai Micro Crab

Quick Answer

Thai Micro Crab (Limnopilos naiyanetri) is a minuscule, fully aquatic crab from Thailand. It requires a minimum 5 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Thai Micro Crab (Limnopilos naiyanetri) is a minuscule, fully aquatic crab from Thailand. It is completely harmless and spends its time hiding in moss and plants.

Setup

A 5-gallon or larger nano tank with dense moss (Java moss, Christmas moss) and fine substrate. Gentle filtration. They are shy, so provide many hiding spots.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats biofilm, algae, crushed flakes, and small sinking pellets. They graze constantly.

Compatibility

Very peaceful. Ideal for shrimp-only tanks or with very small fish like chili rasboras. Do not keep with fish that may eat them (most tetras, cichlids).

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Thai Micro Crabs should be kept together?
Keep a group of 5 to 10 individuals inside a dedicated nano tank of at least 5 gallons (19 liters) with a footprint of 16x8 inches (40x20 cm). Thai micro crabs (Limnopilos naiyanetri) stay under 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) and are fully aquatic, peaceful hidden invertebrates. Groups under 4 cause chronic hiding. Provide dense java moss, floating plant roots (Frogbit, Salvinia), and cholla wood. Avoid fish tank mates; they are easily eaten. Use a sponge filter with very gentle flow. Tank height should be 8-10 inches (20-25 cm).
What are the exact water parameters for Thai Micro Crabs?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 4 - 8 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 6 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 100 - 200 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 200 - 400 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). They require clean, stable water conditions with plenty of java moss or floating plant roots to hide in. Maintain nitrates below 10 ppm with weekly 15% water changes. Use RO water mixed with tap. Ammonia and nitrite must be 0 ppm. Avoid copper at all costs. Add Indian almond leaves.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Thai Micro Crabs?
They use tiny hairs on their claws to filter food, requiring 80% suspended particles/biofilm, 20% protein. Feed powdered invertebrate foods, bacter powder (Bacter AE), crushed spirulina tabs, and baby brine shrimp daily. They also eat microfilm on moss. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.01 mg/L lethal) and all heavy metals. Never use copper-based medications. Praziquantel is unsafe. Avoid formalin and malachite green. No safe medications; quarantine with careful acclimation only.
How to breed Thai Micro Crabs in captivity?
Breeding is extremely rare and rarely documented. Females carry 5-15 eggs under their abdomen for 3-4 weeks at 74°F (23°C). Eggs hatch directly into miniature crabs (0.06 inches/1.5 mm), no larval stage. Hatchlings feed on biofilm and powdered foods immediately. Provide dense java moss and cholla wood for hiding. Remove adults if cannibalism occurs. Maintain stable parameters and frequent small feedings. Not recommended for beginners due to difficulty.

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