Chinese Swimming Scorpion
Lychas mucronatus
The Lychas mucronatus, commonly sold as the 'Chinese Swimming Scorpion'. It is a small and neurotic arboreal-terrestrial Buthid (1.5-2.3 inches). Mottled colored with brown, yellow and black, it possesses a slender silhouette with filiform pincers and elongated tail. Contrary to the catchy commercial name, it is NOT an aquatic animal: it can float and move on water for short stretches (adaptation to alluvial forests), but will drown if kept in an aquarium. Extremely fast, prone to sting and equipped with a moderately painful venom, it requires a very humid tropical terrarium with large dry areas (barks and wet peat), proving to be a terrible guest for paludariums or semi-aquatic terrariums.
Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
65 - 75 %
Day temperature
25 - 30 °C
Night temperature
22 - 24 °C
Species description
Geographic Origin and Habitat: This recovery makes no geographic-origin or habitat statement beyond the cited facts above.
Taxonomy and Genetics: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy lists Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798) at species rank. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy places Lychas mucronatus in the order Scorpiones, family Buthidae and genus Lychas. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond the cited facts above.
Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited facts above.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited facts above.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Lychas mucronatus is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and southern China. This recovery carries no enclosure-dimension or substrate prescription.
Lighting and Heating: This recovery sets no photoperiod or temperature target.
Humidity and Hydration: This recovery sets no humidity or watering target.
Feeding and Supplementation: This recovery sets no feeding or supplementation protocol.
Compatibility and Coexistence: This recovery makes no cohabitation recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: The article states that L. mucronatus can often cause human accidents. This recovery does not provide a first-aid, clinical, or treatment protocol.
Geographic origin and distribution
This species originates from: Sud-est Asiatico (Foreste pluviali allagate, vegetazione ripariale in Cina del Sud, Tailandia, Indonesia).
Origin
South and Southeast AsiaEast Asia
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- Carnivore
- It is an active, aggressive insectivore. Its diet consists primarily of small to medium-sized insects, such as crickets, flies, small roaches, and occasionally other small spiders or arachnids it encounters.
- Adult size
- 6.5 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- Semi-aquatic
- This scorpion is a highly adaptable arboreal and terrestrial opportunist. It favors humid, semi-tropical environments and can frequently be found both traversing the forest floor and expertly climbing low vegetation.
- Activity cycle
- Nocturnal
- It is an active nocturnal species. During the day, it remains tightly hidden under loose bark, rocks, or various ground debris, becoming highly active at night to roam and actively hunt.
- Sociality
- Gregarious
- While they can occasionally be kept communally if heavily fed and provided with ample space and abundant hiding spots, they are opportunistic predators, and a persistent risk of cannibalism remains.
- Reproduction
- Viviparous
- They are viviparous, giving birth to live young that ride on the mother's back. In successful communal setups, they can reproduce rapidly, quickly leading to significant population increases.
- Venomous
- Yes
- Handling tolerance
- With caution
- Handling is not recommended. They are exceptionally fast, nervous, and exhibit defensive behaviors when startled or cornered. Always use appropriate tongs for any interactions or routine enclosure maintenance tasks.
- Brumation
- Not required
- Given its exceptionally wide distribution across Asia, its requirements vary. While northern populations experience cooler winters, in captivity it is typically kept consistently warm and humid year-round without formal brumation.
- Molting
- Periodic
- Molting frequently occurs while the scorpion is vertically clinging to rough bark or completely concealed within a humid hide. Maintaining consistently high humidity is critical for a flawless molt.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
