Red claw crab

Care at a glance

The red claw crab isn't really a freshwater animal, despite often being sold as one: it's a semi-terrestrial brackish-water crab from Southeast Asian mangrove coasts, recognisable by its purplish-brown body and bright red claws.

For it to thrive long term it needs access to land where it can dry off and breathe air, plus slightly brackish rather than pure fresh water — a tank with no land or climbing area isn't a sustainable setup. It climbs and jumps well, so fit a tight lid, and keep it alone or in a small group with plenty of hiding spots, since it's territorial towards its own kind.

Good to know

• Territorial
• Digger — needs fine sand
• Known jumper — cover the tank
• Preys on shrimp and snails

Related species

• Redclaw crayfishCherax quadricarinatus
• Vampire crabGeosesarma sp.
• Giant freshwater shrimpMacrobrachium rosenbergii
• Spixi snail (zebra apple snail)Asolene spixi
• Japanese trapdoor snailViviparus malleatus
• Horned nerite snailClithon corona