Thai Micro Spider Crab (Limnopilos naiyanetri)
Common Names: Thai Micro Crab, False Spider Crab, Pill-box Crab, Micro Spider Crab
Scientific Name: Limnopilos naiyanetri
The Perfect Inhabitant for Your Nano Tank
Discover one of the freshwater hobby's most unique and fascinating curiosities: the Thai Micro Spider Crab. Native to the slow-moving rivers of Thailand (specifically the Tha Chin River), these distinct crustaceans are truly "micro," making them an ideal choice for nano aquariums and planted shrimp tanks.1
Unlike aggressive crab species, the Limnopilos naiyanetri is fully aquatic and exceptionally peaceful.2 Their delicate, long legs are lined with tiny hairs that allow them to catch floating particles, making them excellent little scavengers that won't harm your plants or livestock.3
Why You'll Love Them
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Shrimp Safe: One of the few crabs that is 100% safe to keep with dwarf shrimp (Neocaridina and Caridina).
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Plant Friendly: They will not eat or uproot your live aquatic plants.
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Fascinating Behavior: Watch them gently filter-feed or "fold up" into a pill-box shape when resting.
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Rare Appearance: Their translucent, grey-to-brown bodies and spidery legs create a prehistoric look in a miniature package.
Quick Stats
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Care Level: Intermediate (Requires stable water parameters)
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Max Size: 0.4 – 0.5 inches (1 cm) carapace width4
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Temperament: Extremely Peaceful / Shy
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Diet: Omnivore / Filter Feeder
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Origin: Thailand
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Lifespan: 1 – 2 years
Care & Tank Requirements
To see your Micro Spider Crabs thrive, we recommend a well-established planted tank. They love hanging onto the roots of floating plants like Water Lettuce or hiding within dense Java Moss.
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Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 72° – 82°F (5$22^\circ$ – 6$28^\circ$C)7
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pH: 6.5 – 7.58
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gH: 6 – 159
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Filtration: Gentle flow is best. Sponge filters are highly recommended to prevent these tiny crabs from being sucked into intakes.
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Diet: They are not picky eaters but require small particles.10 They will graze on natural biofilm and algae. Supplement their diet with high-quality crushed shrimp pellets, spirulina powder, or bacter AE.
Recommended Tank Mates
Due to their tiny size, Thai Micro Spider Crabs should only be kept with other peaceful, nano-sized inhabitants.
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Great Mates: Neocaridina Shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp, Thai Micro Crabs (groups are fine), Pygmy Corydoras, and Otocinclus.
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Avoid: Betta fish, Cichlids, Goldfish, Crayfish, or any fish large enough to fit the crab in its mouth.
