Are you thinking about your red claw crab tank mates? However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Because they can be intensely aggressive species with other animals, they are also notorious for their hunting skills. So it is very important to keep them with other peaceful species.
Whether you are going to attempt a community tankmate with red crabs or not, this article is only for you. Because it contains 10 best-red claw crab tankmates. Just choose wisely, and you will have great tankmates for them.
Why You Should Choose Red Claw Crab Tank Mates
Red crabs usually like to hide for extended periods. So, adding tankmates with red claw crabs can help bring more life and activity to your tank. Besides, crabs will eat food and plants that make it to the bottom of the tank. They do not usually catch things that stay suspended in the water column. In this situation, adding upper water column tank mates can help ensure floating food gets eaten.
10 Great Red Claw Crab Tank Mates
1. Cherry Barbs
The best tankmate for red claw crabs is Cherry Barbs. But many experienced aquarists swear by it. The reason is that they are shoaling fish, so the crab will likely bother them. Usually, they are very peaceful and like to stay mid-level in the tank.
Quick Facts About Cherry Barbs
- Scientific Name: Puntius titteya
- Size: Upto 2 Inches
- Care Level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivores
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Compatible With: Gouramis, Loaches, Platies, Mollies, Otocinclus and Tetras
2. Guppy
Guppies are another of the best red claw crab tank mates. While they are small in size and often associated with freshwater tanks. But guppies can thrive in brackish water as well. However, they spend most of their time in the upper portions of the water column. This can help make them unlikely to become a red mini crab snack.
Quick Fact About Guppy
- Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
- Size: Up to 0.5 to 2.5 inches
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Compatible With: Any other peaceful species
3. Molly
Mollies are livebearers, like guppies. Usually, they spend most of their time in the upper portions of the tank. Also, they tend to be very peaceful. So that they are unlikely to harass your red claw crabs. Compared to the red claw crabs, molly are relatively large. So adult mollies will often be too large for a crab to find food.
Quick Facts About Molly
- Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops
- Size: 3-4.5 inches
- Care Level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Compatible With: Cichlids, Guppies, Severums and Discus
4. American Flagfish
American flagfish is the other best tankmate for red claw crab. It is a hardy fish and can survive a broad range of temperatures and parameters. However, they do not enjoy living alone. Typically, they spend their time in the upper portion. Also, they are known for their ability to escape the tank. Besides, they do well in tanks with lowered water. This can help make them a good pick for red claw crab tank mates.
First Key Facts About Flagfish
- Scientific Name: Jordanella floridae
- Size: 2 to 2.5 inches
- Care Level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Territorial
- Compatible With: Swordtails, Tetras and Large Shrimp
5. African Mono Fish
A monofish with a diamond-shaped body is another interesting addition to any aquarium. They tend to reside on the middle to upper levels of the water tank. As a result, the chances of a Thai crab coming to blows are minimal. But it is important to ensure that they have enough food, like zooplankton.
Quick Fact About African Mono Fish
- Scientific Name: Monodactylus Sebae
- Size: 10 to 12 inches
- Care: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Semi Aggressive
- Compatible With: Puffers, Scats, and Archerfish
6. Banded Archerfish
As the banded archerfish hang out at the water surface, that can make them ideal red claw crab tank mates. Generally, they are agile swimmers and are known for their interesting hunting style of shooting water at their prey to stun it. Also, spit water into the foliage outside their aquatic abode. In addition, these large fish need a large tank to feel comfortable.
Quick Fact About Banded Archerfish
- Scientifc Name: Toxotes jaculatrix
- Size: Upto 12 inches
- Care Level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivores
- Temperament: Semi Aggressive
- Compatible With: Tetras, Barbs, Rasboras and Gouramis
7. Golden Topminnow
The golden topminnow is also a hardy species like banded archerfish. Typically, they are small in size and feed on insects on the water’s surface. In the tank, they spend most of their time in the upper and middle parts. However, these flashy fish make an interesting addition to a red claw crab tank mate.
Facts about Golden Topminnow
- Scientific Name: Fundulus chrysotile
- Size: 1.5 to 3 inches
- Care Level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Compatible With: Tetras, Danios, Rainbowfish
8. Red Claw Crabs
The very best option for red claw crab tankmates is another red claw crab. Typically, it is not suggested to make them part of a community tank. Because of how intensely territorial mini crabs are. Whatever of all the species mentioned so far above on the list, keeping one male crab and one female crab is the best. But you can do this only if you want to breed these crabs.
Quick Fact About Red Claw Crabs
- Scientific Name: Perisesarma Bidens
- Size: Upto 4 inches
- Care Level: Moderate
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive
- Compatible With: One female red mini crab
9. Dragon Goby
The dragon gobies are large and generally peaceful. But they may become territorial, which is always limited. So you do not need to worry about that. While they spend a lot of time at the bottom of the tank. Unlikely to bother your Thai crab and is far too large to be eaten by a crab. In addition, it is very important to remember that if you plan to keep a dragon goby and a red claw crab together, ensure to care for a large tank.
Key Facts About Dragon Goby
- Scientific Name: Gobioides broussonnetii
- Size: 12 to 24 inches
- Care Level: Medium
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Compatible With: Guppies, Swordtails, and Glassfish
10. Silver Moony Fish
Generally, these fish are also known as sea angels and silver batfish. They are peaceful and curious fish that do best in groups of at least five fish. Typically, they have a broad size range. But be prepared for them to get quite large. Whatever they would like to eat as detritus. This can make them suitable, and they may enter as red claw crab tankmates.
Facts About Silver Moony Fish
- Scientific Name: Monodactylus Argenteus
- Size: 4.5 to 10.5 inches
- Care Level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Compatible With: Larger Mollies, Scates, Gobies, and Banded Archerfish
What makes good tankmates for a red claw crab?
There are no ideal tankmates for red claw crabs. The reason is their aggressive and unpredictable behavior. But if you choose to keep tankmates with your crab, some considerations can make it a good match. First, choose those fish that spend most of the time in the upper portions of the tank. Besides, non-aggressive fish, which are too large to be bothered, can make them ideal tank mates for red claw crabs.
Final Thoughts
Though we are discussing the 10 best red claw crab tank mates, none is fully desirable. Because no matter what species you can select, there are major downsides. So, if you want to keep a community with these red crabs, prepare yourself to have a big tank and provide frequent attention.
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