Towuti crab - Rusty brown Sulawesi crab - Parathelphusa ferruginea

The Towuti crab, also called rusty brown Sulawesi crab, belongs to the species Parathelphusa ferruginea and originates from Lake Towuti and Lake Mahalona and their tributaries on Sulawesi. There it is widespread and lives between, on and under stones on sandy bottom. One sees the active animals also in the aquarium often during the day.

The dorsal carapace is always of a velvety rusty red, the legs are quite variable in color. The animals grow up to 5 cm. They reach an age of several years. Females and males are about the same size, but they can be safely distinguished by the shape of the abdominal valve - in females it is in the shape of a U, in males in the shape of a V.

Although Parathelphusa ferruginea are purely aquatic crabs, it is recommended to offer them a place to sit above the water surface. The animals are skilled climbers, the aquarium must therefore be covered without gaps.

With reaching the sexual maturity the Towuti crab becomes aggressive also against own conspecifics. A single keeping is therefore preferable. A pair should be kept only in large, really very well structured aquariums (from 100 cm length). The rearing of the young is possible in fresh water.

Parathelphusa ferruginea is an omnivore, but prefers animal food. Brown autumn leaves should always be present in the aquarium. It is a skillful hunter, eats fish, shrimp and snails and therefore should not be socialized.

They need to be acclimated to new water slowly, but are then quite tolerant of water values.