Invertebrates
Mangrove Crab
Perisesarma bidens
Also called: Sesarma spp.
Key facts
- Temperature22–28 °C
- pH7.5–8.3
- Adult size5 cm
- Difficulty★★☆☆☆
Full profile
- Family
- Sesarmidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific (mangroves and coastal estuaries)
- Size
- shell measuring 3–5 cm
- Temperature
- 22 – 28°C
- pH
- 7.5 – 8.3
- GH / KH / TDS
- Salinity 1.005 – 1.015
- Difficulty
- ★★☆☆☆
- Water type
- brackish
- Behavior
- semi-aggressive (territorial among males; may bite small fish)
- Compatible with fish
- with medium- to large-sized fish that won’t prey on them (adult mollies, archerfish)
- Diet
- Omnivorous (algae, detritus, plants, small invertebrates)
- Reproduction
- oviparous; planktonic larvae that require seawater — very difficult to breed in captivity
Notes: Semi-terrestrial crab: requires areas out of the water (branches, exposed rocks, ledges). May escape from the aquarium: a lid is essential. Destroys soft plants. Compatible with mangrove-style decor (exposed wood, rocks). Each individual needs its own territory.
