Thai Micro Spider Crab (Limnopilos naiyanetri)

The Thai Micro Spider Crab is a small and highly specialized freshwater crustacean found throughout shallow waters and partially flooded rice fields in Central and Eastern Thailand. In the wild, it tends to inhabit warm, slightly acidic, slow-moving (or still) water, usually in areas of dense vegetation. They are usually found in large groups clinging to floating plants, grasses, or root systems where they use their unique hair-covered claws to filter out tiny food particles from the water. In the aquarium, they make a fascinating addition to a nano invertebrate tank or with select (very small, peaceful) fish tankmates. They prefer heavily planted tanks with plenty of cover and structures, and will do best in slightly soft water. Although they will filter feed and graze on algae or biofilms to to some degree, they should be provided with very small sinking granules or flakes regularly.