The Tanganyika Crab is one of the rarest fully aquatic freshwater crabs you will find in stores. The name Tanganyika doesn’t indicate only one crab but rather several species from the genus Platythelphusa.
The Tanganyika crab stands out as a fascinating pet to have in aquarium hobby. Due to the limitation of information, you may find difficulties keeping the crabs. Here we’ll talk about everything you need to know about Tanganyika crab.
Quick overview of Tanganyika crab
Name
The Tanganyika crab also known as the African crab; belongs to the genus Platythelphusa. As there is no talk and less information, the crabs are called by only one name.
Habitat and distribution
One of the reasons for the scarcity of this crab can be its limited wild location. Because this crab can only be found in Lake Tanganyika, Africa, where it coexists in rocky littoral habitats and hides in rocks and crevices. The different species of this crab live in different depths of water from 5 to 80 meters or 16 to 260 ft.
| Size | up to 6 cm |
| Color | Brown, tan, green, and gray |
| Lifespan | up to 5 years |
| Temperament | Very peaceful |
| Temperature | 24-28°C (75-82°F) |
| Care Level | Comparatively easy |
| Breeding | Difficult in captivity |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Quick facts about the Tanganyika Lake crab
- The females are darker and smaller in size than males.
- They are primarily freshwater crabs that spend most of their time in the water but they can often come outside of the water and spend some time without any problem.
- There are nine discovered species of the genus Platythelphusa – Platythelphusa armata, Platythelphusa conculcata, Platythelphusa denticulate, Platythelphusa echinata, Platythelphusa immaculate, Platythelphusa maculate, Platythelphusa polita, Platythelphusa praelongata, and Platythelphusa tuberculata. Wikipedia
- The first discovered Tanganyika crab was Platythelphusa armata, discovered in 1887 by Alphonse Milne-Edwards.
- The Tanganyika Lake, East Africa is one of the deepest and oldest freshwater lakes in the world; that’s why the crabs can be found in the deep bottom of rocky substrate.
- The species of the Platythelphusa crab is under threat of pollution along with other aquatic animals of the lake.
- Tanganyika crabs have interesting nonaggressive interaction with other tank mates making them suitable for freshwater aquariums.
- A study shows Platythelphusa armata loves to eat gastropods more frequently than other species of Tanganyika crabs.
How to care for Tanganyika crabs
Before getting into detailed care about this crab you need to set up the enclosure correctly. Try to mimic the tank condition like the wild.
Tank setup
Size
Always prefer a big tank for Tanganyika crab because they will have more space to play around; surely you will not keep only one in a tank. With few fish and other invertebrates, the tank size will be at least 20 gallons. 10 gallons is enough for one smaller species like Platythelphusa polita and Platythelphusa maculate.
You should have the ability to measure the tank size by seeing the number of species in the aquarium. Overcrowded tank can affect their behavior and health.
Substrate
Only sand as a substrate will work best for this crab, as they are found in sandy bottoms in the wild. You can use some gravel with the substrate as it is inexpensive but make sure the grains are small. However, you can use black crushed lava gravel as an addition.
Decoration and hiding places
Be creative with the decoration remembering they will need plenty of hiding places. Use some aquarium stones and wood; you can consider clay pots or other commercial hiding places you want.
Consider placing some freshwater plants like Alternanthera sp, Anubias barteri, Wendt’s water trumpet, Water hyacinths, Hornwort, Java Fern, Christmas Moss, Cryptocoryne, etc.
Temperature and water requirements for Tanganyika crab
The temperature should be kept between 24-28°C (75-82°F). To mimic the Tanganyika Lake temperature you may need to adjust it 2 times a year; 24°C in early August and 28°C in March to April. Ensure the temperature doesn’t fluctuate, it will cause health issues and eventually death. You can use a tank heater and a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
The pH should be kept between 8.5 to 9.5 with a GH of 7 to 11 and a KH of 8.5 to 9.5. Hopefully, a slide change in any of those conditions will not cause any problems but to give the crabs a maximum life you need to strictly follow that.
Tanganyika crab tank mates
Being peaceful crabs, Tanganyika crabs will not disturb any other mates but don’t choose mates that will tease your crab. As they are crabs I can’t surely tell if they will show aggression or not, maybe they will; so caution always. Ensure the mates are not too big compared to their size.
Be sure the tankmates you choose have the same water condition as the crabs. The best tankmates will be Tanganyika cichlids like Altolamprologus, Neolamprologus, Julidochromis and Humphead cichlid. The fast-moving Chili rasboras and amber tetras will be a great option because if the crabs want to catch one, they are fast enough to escape. Other tank mates will be –
- Lamprichthys tanganicanus
- Dwarf shrimps
- Eretmodus cyanostictus
- Tanganicodus irsacae
- Synodontis catfish
What do Tanganyika crabs eat?
Like most crabs, Tanganyika crabs are also omnivorous scavengers, meaning they will eat anything they find edible; from detritus, algae, and small invertebrates to even fish. They sometimes eat snails and fish eggs.
In the tank, they will eat scraps of food, dead leaves, algae, and any other floating materials. Despite that, you have to give them a proper feeding with a balanced diet. Prefer more calcium reach food like cuttlebones, it will help them grow strong exoskeletons and recover quickly from molting. Include brine shrimp, vegetables, worms, fish flakes, and pellets.
You can give commercial mix as a treat once in a while and don’t spoil the water condition by giving extra food.
Molting and breeding
As Tanganyika crabs grow older and bigger they need to molt by growing new exoskeletons and shedding the previous one. Young crabs molt more frequently than adult crabs; they seek hiding places and nutritious food while molting.
Breeding Tanganyika crab is possible but difficult since you can’t provide exactly the right wild condition in the tank.
Related article – Sally Lightfoot crab