Red Claw Crab

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Indo-Pacific, common along East Asian coasts from Indonesia to southern Japan. Found in brackish mangrove swamps and estuaries.

Taxonomy: Member of the family Sesarmidae (also classified as Perisesarma bidens). Features a box-shaped, compact carapace.

Social Behavior: Semi-terrestrial and excellent climber. Inhabits intertidal zones, digging burrows or climbing up mangrove roots.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Carapace is dark brown or olive green. Claws are bright cherry red, which is more intense and larger in males.

Tank Setup: Requires a paludarium setup (land/water mix). Must provide multiple dry areas and driftwood or branches for climbing behaviors.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous scavenger. Feeds on leaf litter, algae, blanched vegetables, sinking pellets, and occasional frozen bloodworms.

Water Quality: Highly adaptable: tolerates freshwater but thrives in brackish conditions (SG 1.002-1.008). Keep temperature 20-27 °C.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Semi-aggressive. May catch small, slow-moving fish in the water section. Keep in pairs or small harems (one male, multiple females).

Aquarium Breeding: Females carry eggs under their tail. Spawns planktonic zoea larvae that require marine salinity to survive and grow.

Risks and Diseases: High risk of drowning if kept in water-only aquariums. Master escapes; ensure the tank is tightly sealed with no gaps.