Red Claw Crab (Perisesarma bidens) Care Guide
A small semi-terrestrial crab with distinctive bright red claws and a dark brown to olive body. Requires a brackish paludarium with land access, as it spends significant time out of water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published
Overview
Perisesarma bidens is a species in the family Sesarmidae. A small semi-terrestrial crab with distinctive bright red claws and a dark brown to olive body. Requires a brackish paludarium with land access, as it spends significant time out of water. Territorial and may be aggressive toward conspecifics.
Taxonomy
- Family: Sesarmidae
- Genus: Perisesarma
- Scientific name: Perisesarma bidens
- Other names: Red Clawed Crab, Mini Crab
- Origin: Southeast Asia, East Asia
Habitat
Perisesarma bidens, a brackish-water crab from mangrove estuaries and tidal mudflats of East and Southeast Asia. It is amphibious, requiring access to land, and is an opportunistic omnivore feeding on detritus, plant matter and small animals.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 8-20 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Adult size: 4-6 cm
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 1x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: semi-aggressive
- Position in tank: bottom
- Compatible tank mates: Other Red Claw Crabs
- Avoid with: Small Fish, Shrimp, Snails