Aquatic Arts 1 Live Panther Crab (Parathelphusa pantherina) - 1-3 inch Juvenile - Fully Aquatic Crayfish Alternative

Came alive, about 1 inch across and lived for several weeks but crawled out the top of the tank and died. Would recommend tight lid with areas above the water to rest

I AM SHARING MY EXPERIENCE WITH BOTH PANTHER CRABS AND CRAYFISH (now called "Dwarf Lobsters" who are bred to produce beautiful color patterns, but still are animals with instincts)I DID NOT PURCHASE MY PANTHER CRABS FROM THIS SELLER AND FEEL I MUST DISCLOSE THIS FIRST.I HAVE, HOWEVER OWNED THESE AND CRAYFISH. THEY LOOK different but their instincts are similar. Crabs are more active in hunting at night, while crayfish hide in their homes mainly unless scavenging or looking for a better vantage point to grab a fish swimming by IF THE LIGHTS ARE OFF. IF on, both hide, at night, they both hunt, they both kill, and kill fish much larger than themselves. Its a shame people are tricked into buying these for their FISH filled aquariums.First of all, their claws are in the air not to fend off fish so much as to grab them and seek out sick or weak ones. They kill the fish slowly. a very painful ending to your other pets life. They paralyze the fish squeezing the vertebrae until the fish stops fighting for its life. Then it will chew and nibble on the fish while keeping it alive but unable to do a thing.I have never had a positive outcome with crabs or crayfish. HOWEVER, I didn't do it right. The crabs and crayfish both should be kept alone or they will territorially kill the other crabs or crayfish.They wont mate in a home aquarium, don't try it. One will eat the other.If you insist on keeping one, I have seen success without the crab or crayfish killing your current or future fish. Your tank needs to be bright, non-planted, keeping one dark hiding place in the center of your tank with nothing around it. Something like the shape of the Flintstone's house lol but size is important. To big, and your fish may wander inside and get killed, to small and the crab or crayfish may die of stress. Lighting is very tricky... IF the fish can't see, they are dinner. Many fish can't see blue lighting, but crustaceans sure can... and even in total darkness they hunt successfully. So... Is it worth it?I would say no. I think this post is deception and they should warn aquarium owners that MOST crustaceans are predators and can definitely kill other tankmates.Panther crabs are bread in captivity but don't lose their instincts. They kill. They eat. They kill anything that is in their territory if they feel challenged or threatened or if its a fish they want to eat. Crayfish are worse. They start off big and get bigger. House them separately or look up suitable tankmates.I had a blue neon dwarf lobster (a designer breed that had been genetically altered to look "cool". It killed my plecos including a 129 dollar golden nugget pleco. It kills cory catfish in seconds. It kills fish for sport. It killed 8 fish for sport and probably ate 3 or 4 more. That was one evening. Just a matter of hours in a planted tank.Dwarf shrimp make an AMAZING alternative to that of the crabs or lobsters. Just make sure you don't put them in with fish who like shrimp!! I have failed at keeping a colony of dwarf shrimp alive and spent nearly a thousand on the shrimp alone... I don't know why, except in one case where I was sold a plant that had predators in it, their eggs I mean. These were Wasp Larvae, Some species spend their first 3 stages under water, and they sit under the dirt and when a dwarf shrimp walks by they snatch it down under the ground... bye bye shrimp and 30 bucks. I only do moss balls now because plants die, carry parasites, get to big,are difficult to control, and its not worth hours a day of maintenance to me...ANYWAYS: RESEARCH ANY LIVE ADDITIONS TO YOUR TANK SO ONE TANKMATE DOESN'T BECOME ANOTHER'S DINNER.THIS SELLER SHOULD WARN YOU OF THAT AND BECAUSE THEY DON'T I WOULD NOT BUY FROM THEM. IF THEY DID, I WOULD BUY FROM THEM, AND I WOULD BUY ONE. AND WATCH IT CLOSELY.Still have doubts? [...]

I purchased Bulldog as a addition to my Underwater aqua boogie crew.His colors,stunning!!,So great to watch climb,scurry across the hide outs etc.The best was his giant swimming attempt across my 50 gallon tank one day!!! I had a fire emerald crayfish already who was stunning and giant.Bulldog was such a great addition not only in appearance but in personality as well.A truly gorgeous pet,yes pet.Aquatic arts has been the only company that honestly cares for its animals and products.They are the only people who take their time to be there for you with any questions,concerns etc. I will only buy my aqua boogie crew gear" from them,I recommend none other then Aquatic Arts.Claws down the best for any and all needs,best species,best customer care.

Died shortly after arrival...hoping the next ones will do better

I bought 3 of these and I'm completely impressed.. Some people mentioned that they attack other fish I've had no issues.. I have one in my 5 gallon and 2 in my 20 and none of my fish have been harmed.. They raise the claws if they get a little to close but that's about it.. I've fed them frozen blood worms and algae wafers along with the flake that falls to the bottom of the tank.. They like borrowing holes under things... to hide and when the lights are out they explore and climb everything so make sure your tank has no openings!! They're really really cool though no tank would be complete without a few thats for sure!!

One died within a week.

Pros. very beautifulCons. Super shy (You almost won't see him)

missing a leg. otherwise healthy and fun to watch!