Panther crabs inhabit the warm, alkaline waters of Lake Matano where rocks, waterlogged wood and leaf-litter provide shelter. They seem to be entirely aquatic in the wild and most active at night.
Their aquarium should be centered around their needs and offer lots of hiding places to allow them to hide from bright lighting and one another. Aquatic plants are likely to be eaten, although species such as Anubias or Java fern may survive. Note that these crabs require warmer than average temperatures to thrive. Although an aquatic species, it may be wise to provide opportunities to leave the water occasionally for long-term health. A tight fitting lid is essential and be sure to block all holes where equipment feeds into the tank, as these crabs are great escape artists. Regular partial water changes should be carried out and it may be necessary to buffer KH to ensure the pH remains above 8 or thereabouts. Supplementary sources of calcium such as cuttlefish bone or even plaster vacation feeding blocks would be welcomed and this species seems to enjoy hunting snails. As they're capable of catching slow-moving fish, care should be taken if combining them with tankmates, although some aquarists have success keeping them alongside small, fast-swimming species that live in open water. As with any crustaceans, fish medications are likely to prove harmful and care must be taken if contending with disease in any aquarium housing crabs or shrimps. Keep single animals in smaller tanks, as both sexes are very territorial and these crabs are likely to damage one another in confined spaces.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Will take dry fish foods such as pellets and algae wafers as a staple. A number of specialist dried foods for crabs are also available and will ensure optimal nutrition. Offer a selection of meaty foods such as bloodworm, Mysis shrimp, and chopped krill/prawns, along with some vegetable matter including dead leaves such as Catappa.
Breeding
Spawning accounts are rare but many sources mention that males can be extremely aggressive in the presence of females and are best kept singly alongside multiple females in large aquaria. Both sexes need their own territories and adults are likely to eat any young that they can catch. Females carry eggs which develop directly into crablets and seek shelter, the more hiding places the better and a bed of small pebbles or tangled wood can provide hiding places that are inaccessible to the adults. As Lake Mantano is vulnerable to environmental damage and contains many endemic species, establishing captive populations of these crabs is important to ensuring their future in our aquaria.
