Potamonautes lirrangensis is a fully aquatic freshwater crab distributed across the Congo Basin and adjacent river systems of Central Africa. It inhabits a range of lotic and lentic freshwater environments, from river rapids to swampy margins, and displays a relatively flattened, smooth carapace in warm reddish-brown to tan colouration.
This species is well-suited to captivity in large, well-filtered aquaria. Like other Potamonautes, it is territorial and requires substantial hiding places — rocky caves, overhangs, and submerged hollow logs. Pairs or small groups can sometimes be maintained in very large tanks with abundant territory, but single specimens are easier to manage. Males are typically larger and display broader, more robust chelae.
P. lirrangensis is an opportunistic omnivore, consuming invertebrates, plant material, carrion, and organic detritus. In captivity it thrives on a diet of high-quality sinking pellets, frozen foods, and blanched vegetables. Water quality is important: the Congo River is characterised by extremely soft, acidic conditions in its upper reaches, but aquarium specimens tolerate a broader range than strictly wild-type parameters suggest.
