At a glance the quick version
Shell about 1 cm wide at most; leg span up to about 2.5 cm.
Fishkeeping World gives 1-1.5 years in aquariums, possibly longer with good care.
Looks how to spot one
Exoskeleton with fine hairs
A tiny, see-through crab with a round body and long, spidery legs. Soft hairs on its shell trap fine particles, which help it blend in and may also serve as food. It lives fully underwater.12
Personality what they are like
Shy, gentle and mostly active at night. It spends much of its time tucked among roots and plants, picking at surfaces.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low; it creeps slowly among roots, moss and plants rather than roaming open ground.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep water stable and clean, and watch nutrient levels. Cover filter intakes with sponge so these small crabs cannot be pulled in.12
Home where they are happiest
Fishkeeping World suggests at least about 19 litres (5 US gallons). Temperature about 21-28 °C and pH 6.5-8.0 (Wikipedia gives 21-27 °C and pH 6.5-7.3). Floating plants with dangling roots, moss and plenty of hiding spots.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A detritus and biofilm grazer that combs plants and roots for food; it also takes fine shrimp foods and small sinking pellets, and may eat tiny animals when it finds them.12
Company who they like around
Comfortable in small groups of around 5-6. Pair with small, calm fish, shrimp and snails; avoid cichlids, crayfish and other crabs.2
The story where it all began
Described in 1991 by Chuang and Ng, this crab is known only from one Thai river. It reached the aquarium hobby in 2008 through German importer Aquarium Glaser and is still an uncommon find.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- Limnopilos naiyanetri Chuang & Ng, 1991; its placement in Limnopilos was confirmed by Naruse & Ng in 2007.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Thai Micro Crab. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amountsevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeSmall, gentle water changesevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Limnopilos naiyanetri - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, taxonomy, size, colour, habitat, diet, water parameters, history
- Thai Micro Crab care guide - Fishkeeping World fishkeepingworld.comused for lifespan, tank size, parameters, diet, social needs, tankmates
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.