Panther crab (Parathelphusa pantherina) care guide

Group
Other invertebrates
Other names
Sulawesi panther crab, Matano panther crab, Leopard crab
Family
Gecarcinucidae
Origin
Endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia: Lake Matano and nearby waters to the south
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
26–30°C
pH
7–8
Hardness
6–12 dGH, 4–8 dKH
Minimum tank
60 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
aggressive
Lifespan
2–4 years

Care

The panther crab is a fully aquatic freshwater crab found only in Lake Matano and nearby waters on Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is yellow to light orange with dark red rosette spots running from the flat carapace onto the legs, and claws and legs are often tipped red. It hides under roots and logs. It is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, mainly because nickel mining along the lake shore is harming water quality, so captive-bred stock is the best choice. The carapace reaches a few centimetres; the size is general guidance. Set-up: a tank of 60 litres or more for one crab, with a secure lid (crabs climb out through small gaps along cables), plenty of caves, roots and wood, and a sand substrate. It does not need land. Lake Matano water is warm, around 27–31 °C with pH about 7.4, so keep it warm and stable. Behaviour: solitary and territorial. Males in particular fight, so keep one per tank or a pair in a large tank with plenty of cover. It hides more after moulting. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never treat a tank holding them with copper, check the label of any fertiliser or medicine, and keep nets and buckets used for copper-treated tanks separate. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parathelphusapantherina). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivore and opportunist predator. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, mysis and shrimp, pieces of fish, and some vegetable matter such as blanched spinach and almond leaves. It will catch shrimp, snails and slow fish.

Breeding

It lays eggs. Like other freshwater crabs of its family, the female carries the eggs under her abdomen and the young are believed to hatch as tiny crabs without a free-swimming larval stage, which allows breeding in fresh water. Females have a wide, rounded abdominal flap; males a narrow one. Remove the young from the adults, which will eat them.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best kept alone or only with fast, upper-water fish. It eats shrimp, snails and slow or bottom-dwelling fish, and damages plants. Do not mix with other crabs or crayfish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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