Panther crab

[elbereth]

Hi folks,

Anyone here keep panther crabs (Parathelphusa pantherina)? I recently bought two tiny ones and would like some advice.

First of all, freshwater or brackish? I came across one source that recommended slightly brackish water for freshwater crabs, but can't find it now and most other sites say this species is freshwater. Then again, seller sites sometimes make certain species sound easier to keep than they actually are. (Aquatic Arts actually says that they are "friendly with their own species and may be kept in groups together" when WWM says they get can get very aggressive.) So anyone here keep them in a brackish tank?

Second, mine are 1.5-2 cm juveniles and are getting along just fine for now. At what size/age can I expect them to mature and become aggressive, if they do? Because I can't justify devoting a huge aquarium for these two tiny crabs if they're not even close to needing it yet.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[twentyleagues]

Hi folks,

Anyone here keep panther crabs (Parathelphusa pantherina)? I recently bought two tiny ones and would like some advice.

First of all, freshwater or brackish? I came across one source that recommended slightly brackish water for freshwater crabs, but can't find it now and most other sites say this species is freshwater. Then again, seller sites sometimes make certain species sound easier to keep than they actually are. (Aquatic Arts actually says that they are "friendly with their own species and may be kept in groups together" when WWM says they get can get very aggressive.) So anyone here keep them in a brackish tank?

Second, mine are 1.5-2 cm juveniles and are getting along just fine for now. At what size/age can I expect them to mature and become aggressive, if they do? Because I can't justify devoting a huge aquarium for these two tiny crabs if they're not even close to needing it yet.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

You should research before you buy them. What did the place you got them from say about keeping them? Seems like they should know if they were selling them. Sorry to sound like that guy but........

 

[elbereth]

I know that. I wouldn't buy an animal without doing some research first! But the two sites that came up at the top of Google search were seller sites and made them sound pretty low-maintenance. And the people at the store knew nothing about them. I've done a lot more research since then but came across some conflicting info. Hence my questions. Anyone have more pertinent advice?

 

[elbereth]

No one here keeps Panther crabs?

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Tanganyikan panther crabs are a freshwater species which are fairly easy to keep.

 

[elbereth]

Panther crabs, Parathelphusa panthernia, are from Indonesia. You must mean a different species.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Post a pic and I'll give the info

 

[Wins123Gaming]

I have panther crabs however they always stay in a plastic cave and rarley come out.
My in from Indonesia

 

[Viridis]

Considering they're from a land-locked lake, I'd go with freshwater...

 

[Canoeist]

Any updates on your panther crabs? Do they require a basking area? I would like to give them a try.