Freshwater Crab

Freshwater crabs for sale at Splashy Fish Store include tiny, fully aquatic Thai Micro Crabs and colorful semi-terrestrial species such as Vampire Crabs and fiddler crabs. Aquarium crabs are small, active freshwater invertebrates that bring color and interesting behavior to a tank, but they are not all kept the same way. Some species live fully underwater, while others need land to climb out on. Use the guide below to pick the right crab for your setup before you buy.

Freshwater Crabs We Carry

Availability changes often, so check each product page for current stock and pricing.

Fully aquatic crabs

• Thai Micro Crab (Limnopilos naiyanetri): a tiny, peaceful crab with a body under half an inch. It lives underwater full time, grazes on biofilm in planted tanks, and is safe with dwarf shrimp. Care guide: Ultimate Care Guide for Thai Micro Crab.

Semi-terrestrial crabs (need a land area)

• Purple Vampire Crab (Geosesarma sp.): deep purple shell and bright eyes, about 1 inch across the shell and up to about 2 inches with legs. A freshwater crab (no salt needed) that spends much of its time on land.
• Rainbow Vampire Crab (Geosesarma): one of the most colorful vampire crabs, with a similar size and the same freshwater paludarium needs. Care guide: Ultimate Care Guide for Vampire Crab.
• Gold Claw Fiddler Crab: a fiddler crab, named for the male's single oversized claw. Fiddler crabs come from coastal mud flats and marshes, so they need a dry land area and do best in low-brackish water rather than a standard freshwater tank.
• Watermelon Fiddler Crab: a small, brightly patterned crab sold at about half an inch and up. Like other fiddler-type crabs, give it an exposed land area to climb onto.

Adult Size, Tank Size and Setup

• Thai Micro Crabs: a mature, planted 5 to 10 gallon aquarium with moss, leaf litter, and a sponge filter or covered intake. Keep them in a small group. See aquarium moss and live aquarium plants.
• Vampire Crabs: a 10 gallon or larger paludarium for a trio, roughly half land and half shallow freshwater, with high humidity, plenty of hiding spots, and driftwood or plants to climb.
• Fiddler crabs: a 10 gallon or larger setup with a sandy beach or land area above the waterline and shallow, low-brackish water made with marine salt (not table salt).
• Escape-proof lid: all crabs are escape artists. Use a tight lid and cover gaps around cords and tubing.
• Water: most aquarium crabs do well around 72 to 80°F with stable, clean water and gentle filtration.

For full setup steps, read How to Keep and Care for Freshwater Crabs in Home Aquarium and Top 5 Freshwater Crabs for Your Aquarium Tank.

Tank Compatibility and Molting

Thai Micro Crabs are the one crab here that fits a peaceful nano community. They are shrimp-safe, but most fish will eat them, so pair them with freshwater shrimp, snails, or very small peaceful fish. Vampire Crabs and fiddler crabs are best in species-only setups: they are opportunistic and may catch small fish or shrimp, and their land-and-water habitat does not suit most community fish. For more ideas, see Top 7 Best Tank Mates to Keep with Freshwater Crabs.

Crabs shed their shells (molt) to grow. A freshly molted crab is soft and hides for a few days, so provide plenty of cover and leave the old shell in the tank, since crabs often eat it for minerals.

Shipping Limits and Local Regulations

Some U.S. states and local areas regulate the import or possession of certain non-native live animals, including some crabs. Please check your state and local regulations before ordering. We can't ship to locations where a species is restricted. Never release crabs or any aquarium animal into the wild.

Shipping and Live Arrival

Every order from Splashy Fish Store is quarantined before it is listed, packed carefully for the trip, and shipped live within the USA from our Virginia-based fish store, backed by our live-arrival guarantee.

Also shop freshwater crayfish for sale, dwarf crayfish and freshwater lobsters, freshwater shrimp, and freshwater fish for sale.

Freshwater Crab FAQs

Are freshwater crabs fully aquatic?

Only some of them. Thai Micro Crabs are fully aquatic and live underwater their whole lives in a normal planted aquarium. Vampire Crabs and fiddler crabs are semi-terrestrial: they need a dry land area they can climb onto, and fiddler crabs do best in low-brackish water. A crab that needs land will drown or decline if it is kept in a fully flooded tank.

How big do freshwater crabs get?

Thai Micro Crabs stay tiny, with a body under half an inch. Vampire Crabs reach about 1 inch across the shell and up to about 2 inches including the legs. Fiddler crabs usually reach 1 to 1.5 inches across the shell, and males carry one oversized claw.

What size tank do freshwater crabs need?

A small group of Thai Micro Crabs can live in a mature, planted 5 to 10 gallon aquarium. A trio of Vampire Crabs or a few fiddler crabs needs at least a 10 gallon paludarium-style setup that is about half land and half shallow water. Every crab tank needs a tight-fitting, escape-proof lid with any cord and tubing gaps covered.

Can freshwater crabs live with fish and shrimp?

Thai Micro Crabs are peaceful and shrimp-safe, but they are so small that most fish will eat them, so keep them with dwarf shrimp, snails, or very small peaceful fish. Vampire Crabs and fiddler crabs are best kept in species-only setups because they are opportunistic and may grab small fish or shrimp, and their land-and-water habitat does not suit community fish.

What do freshwater crabs eat?

Freshwater crabs are omnivorous scavengers. Offer sinking pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables such as zucchini or spinach, plus occasional protein like bloodworms or brine shrimp. Thai Micro Crabs mostly graze on biofilm and fine particles, so they need a mature tank. Leave shed molts in the tank so crabs can eat them for minerals.

Do you ship live freshwater crabs to every state?

We ship live crabs within the USA from our Virginia fish store with our live-arrival guarantee. Some states and local areas regulate the import or possession of certain non-native live animals, so please check your local regulations before ordering. We can't ship to locations where a species is restricted.