SYNTRIPSA CRAB CARE GUIDE
Author: Albomita
Syntripsa is a genus of freshwater crab found in Indonesia. This species frequently has made-up care guides circulating online, ignore those. This guide is based on direct research and field data.
Common Names
Syntripsa may also be referred to as:
Purple Matano Crab
White Claw Sulawesi
Sulawesi Crab
Matano Crab
Members of the Species
Conservation Level
Endangered - Only buy this crab if you are willing to attempt breeding it. They are at risk of going extinct due to the pet trade.
Care Level
Intermediate
Enclosure and Environment
Requires very stable and clean water parameters.
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons / 38 liters
Temperature: 24–31°C / 75–88°F They live in very warm water in the wild, usually around 29°C (85°F). Source: Lake Matano Study (2004–2010)
pH: 8.4
Water Type: Use mineralised water, Salty Shrimp Sulawesi, or equivalent, is ideal
Water Flow: Minimal to none.
Lighting: A natural day-night cycle is best, and any aquarium light will be enough to keep them happy
Behaviour: Aggressive
Substrate
Any standard aquarium substrates will work fine, though you will probably want something that is inert so that it doesn’t cause the water parameters to fluctuate.
Cohabitation
Avoid keeping multiple males together. Male/female pairs are best.
Diet
Feed a balanced diet of vegetables, fish pellets, and shrimp.
⚠️ Offer a diverse and balanced diet to ensure proper growth and health. Include both plant and protein sources.
Breeding
Captive breeding data is essential given their endangered status
Data Source
The information in this guide was kindly researched and compiled by Liam Hopkins and the team at Crustacean Council.