Chinese Freshwater Crab Sinopotamon yangtsekiense

Sinopotamon yangtsekiense is a medium to large fully aquatic freshwater crab from the Yangtze River Basin of China. It inhabits rivers, streams, and lake margins across central and eastern China, displaying a broad, smooth carapace in warm amber-brown to reddish tones with robust, well-developed chelae. As a temperate species, it is adapted to the seasonal temperature fluctuations characteristic of the Yangtze watershed.

In captivity, S. yangtsekiense requires a spacious aquarium with rocky caves, overhangs, and strong filtration. It does not need to be kept warm — temperatures between 14 and 22°C suit it well — and in temperate climates it may be maintained without supplemental heating for much of the year. Good water quality is important, with regular partial water changes to maintain ammonia and nitrite at zero.

This species is territorial and should be kept individually or in very large, cave-rich aquaria with one specimen per defined territory. It is an opportunistic omnivore consuming invertebrates, plant matter, and organic detritus. It is a direct developer, and females carry eggs under the broad abdominal flap until fully formed juveniles emerge.

Water: 14–22°C, pH 7.0–8.0, GH 6–18, KH 3–12; temperate; no supplemental heating needed in cool rooms. Tank: minimum 80 L; rocky caves, coarse gravel or rocks, strong filtration; secure lid; seasonal temperature variation tolerated. Feeding: omnivore — sinking pellets, frozen foods, blanched vegetables, dried invertebrates; feed every 1–2 days. Breeding: direct developer; female broods eggs; miniature juveniles fully aquatic from hatching. Compatibility: one per tank; fully aquatic; territorial and predatory; keep only with robust larger fish.