HOW TO BUILD A PALUDARIUM FOR LEPIDOTHELPHUSA BORNEO CRABS
Building a paludarium for Lepidothelphusa crabs
Creating a suitable habitat for Lepidothelphusa SP crabs, also known as Panda or Sarawak land crabs, is easy but there are some important things you need to do. While they are similar to Vampire Crabs in a lot of ways. Their care and environment differs in some key areas. So this step-by-step guide will help you construct a paludarium that meets the specific needs of Lepidothelphusa crabs while keeping the process simple and cost-effective.
Lepidothelphusa Crab Species Requirements
Before diving into the construction, make sure that you understand the needs of Lepidothelphusa SP crabs. These creatures demand meticulous care and a habitat tailored to their preferences. For a full care guide on them check out the video below.
Setting Up A Lepidothelphusa crab Tank
Start with a tank of at least 10 gallons (45 liters), measuring roughly 60x30x30cm (23.62x11.81x11.81”) or ideally 80x30x30cm (31.50x11.81x11.81”). This provides ample space for both land and water sections, a critical factor in replicating their natural habitat. Don’t go any smaller than 60x30x30cm (23.62x11.81x11.81”) it will cause problems. Space is key!
Before you start your build I highly suggest you check out this scientific survey blog for very detailed environmental data. It’s an absolute treasure trove of inspiration for creating the perfect Lepidothelphusa ecosystem.
Creating a Land and Water Barrier
Begin by making a barrier between the land and water sections. Any stones work fine and in this build, I’m using inexpensive grey stones. This not only serves a functional purpose but also adds aesthetic value. Take your time with this step as it will be a dominant feature in your paludarium.
Establishing the Water Environment
Lepidothelphusa SP crabs primarily inhabit water, so maintaining a suitable water-to-land ratio is essential. Aim for at least 70% water and 30% land. Adding a shallow shoreline is also great if you have the space. They really appreciate different depths to explore.
Adding a pump or filter is also important for flow. Unlike Vampire Crabs Lepidothelpuha crabs require good filtration and flow to live happily in a captive environment.
Preparing the Land Section
Fill the land portion of the tank with leca or clay balls, creating a substrate base layer that you can build on top of in the next step. Make sure you build this a little higher than the planned water level so that the water can drain through the soil fully. The soil must not sit in water at any stage. If it does you will have nutrient problems which will usually kill your crabs.
Adding Weed Matting & Soil
Place weed matting over the surface of the leca (clay balls) to prevent the soil from mixing with the water. Utilize an organic, chemical-free soil mix for the plants. Ensure it’s deep enough to facilitate proper planting without the need for excessive depth.
When choosing plants make sure they are suitable for humid environments, plants such as Pilea, Mosses, Monte Carlo, and Ficus Pumila are some good options but there are plenty of others you can choose from. I am a big fan of ferns!
Adding Sand to the Aquatic Section
Once you have finished the land section add sand to the tank. For Panda Crabs, sand is the best option, so choose it over gravel. Any colour is fine so long as it is fine-grained.
OPTIONAL: If you have access to good quality clay you can make an embankment out of clay as well. Lepidothelpusa crabs absolutely love clay and will use it to make hides and burrows in and around the water’s edge.
Detail Stones and PLanting the Aquatic section
Introduce rocks and stones strategically to create visual barriers and interest within the water section. Consider small line-of-sight barriers so that crabs can avoid each other if they need to avoid conflicts. Complete the setup by scattering aquatic plants around the water section and adding Salvinia or a similar floating plant. Any type of aquatic plant works fine so the choice is yours!
Patience Before Introducing the Crabs
Before introducing the crabs, allow at least a month for stabilization, ideally extending to three months for better stability and plant growth. Ensure the water parameters are stable before adding the crabs. The longer you wait the better it is for everyone. You, the plant, and of course the crabs.
Acclimating the Crabs
When it’s time to introduce the crabs to their new habitat, place them on the land section to facilitate a gradual acclimation to the water. Avoid sudden temperature changes that might stress the crabs.