▷ Vampire crabs in the terrarium | All information and details

Data sheet vampire crab

German name:
vampire crab

Scientific name:
Geosesarma dennerle

Origin:
Indonesia, Java

Size:
Up to 2cm

Terrarium / Aquaterrium

Length:
Length from 60 cm width

Contents:

For example, 60 X 30 cm aquaterrarium or terrarium for 5-6 animals, water part small and about 3-5 centimeters deep, maximum 6 cm.

With sufficient humidity, a deeper bowl filled with water is also sufficient.

water values

Temperature:
24-28ºC; Humidity: 80-90 percent

pH:
6.5-8

GH:
10° – 20° dH

Behave

Area:
mostly in the countryside

Lining:
mainly carnivorous, otherwise omnivorous; Live food from terrariums, dead fish, fish food, food tablets, frozen food, vegetables.

Behave:
peaceful towards conspecifics, but not towards other Geosesarma species or other crab species. Sociable, only kept in groups, species terrarium recommended, at least three animals with a majority of females.

Number:
keep at least 1 male and 2 females together in small groups, for example 5-6 animals in a 60-litre species terrarium

Difficulty level:
Beginner

Keeping Vampire Crabs

Eumeldingens, vampire crab001, CC BY 3.0

Vampire crabs belong to the genus Geosesarma. Crabs of this genus all live in Southeast Asia near water such as rivers or lakes and stay mostly on land. Many Geosesarma species are endemic to islands, then come exclusively there before. The development of their larvae no longer takes place in the water, which means that it is practically impossible for them to spread naturally across the sea to other regions. The vampire crab (Geosesarma dennerle) has its natural habitat in Indonesia on the tropical island of Java. There, the small freshwater crab, which is only about two centimeters in size, lives in humid areas at the edge of water bodies, mainly on streams and is found in valleys between and under rock and dense vegetation.

appearance and naming

Because of her special and fascinating appearance, she is named Vampire Crab. she owns light to dark violet or lilac claws. It has a yellow spot on its back shield, which looks almost square when viewed from above. The eyes are bright yellow or orange.

Vampire crabs are well adapted to land life, live semiterrestrial. They therefore do not need a large part of water in the terrarium. A bowl filled with fresh water can suffice as a water area. The animals can drown if the bowl is too deep or large and the crabs can no longer find their way out or climb out. Vampire crabs can’t swim. There are accessories especially for crab terrariums that can be cut, shaped and placed on the water part in such a way that the small crabs always have a chance to climb out. Exit aids can also be made from other materials, such as pieces of bark, stones or small twigs. It is advisable to set up a large land area and supplement this with a smaller water area, no more than six centimeters deep.

Terrarium requirements

Although they live mainly on land, do they need water. For example, from time to time they have to renew their gill chambers, in which they always carry a supply of water with them to keep their gills moist. A high level of humidity in the terrarium is necessary so that their gill-like breathing apparatus does not dry out. The land portion should be well structured substrate suitable for digging and layered high enough for the crabs to burrow or burrow into.

A mixture of sand, humus and earth is well suited. Sand as the only substrate is unsuitable. Vampire crabs need adequate hiding places. These serve as cover in turf wars, as a shelter during the molting phase or as a retreat for weakened specimens. Such places can be created with leaves and moss, clay jugs or small tunnels made of clay. In order to ensure species-appropriate keeping, the terrarium must be well structured overall. Branched root wood, cork bark and plant material are suitable for the design.

The Crabs like to climb and are good at it. It is also advisable to build upwards. The small crabs are sociable, like to live in small groups and have interesting social behavior. When kept alone, they wither away. From time to time, these mainly nocturnal animals also show up during the day and are fun to watch in their numerous social interactions.

breed

If the husbandry conditions are observed, one is Breed in a well-structured environment with hiding places for young animals and retreats for females possible.

These are picky. Therefore, several males should live in the terrarium and this should be correspondingly larger. After mating, the females carry their eggs, which are about one millimeter in diameter, under their slightly open abdominal flap until the young hatch. These are only a few millimeters in size, are fully formed and have a brownish camouflage colour. The females retreat to a cave to care for the brood. Vampire crabs live up to four years.

socialization

For example, five to seven vampire crabs can live together in a 60 cm X 30 cm terrarium. Females should be in the majority. To avoid territorial fighting and aggressive behavior, vampire crabs should not be kept with other Geosesarma species or crabs from other genera. Socializing with other animals, such as fish (e.g. loricariids) or amphibians is not advisable and keeping them in a species aquaterrarium or species terrarium is recommended.

FAQs / Frequently asked question about vampire crabs

Can you keep vampire crabs in a normal aquarium?

No, vampire crabs require a land tile, so an aquaterrarium or terrarium is required.

What colors do vampire crabs come in?

Vampire crabs are often found in purple offered. However, other colors and combinations are available depending on the breed