Decor
- Cork bark or logs to hide under
- Plastic plants for cover and visual interest
- Large shallow water dish
- Heat mat along the back or side on a mat-stat
Miscellaneous · Care guide
Vampire Crab Care Guide
Geosesarma ssp.
Small, colourful, semi-terrestrial crabs from rainforest valleys on the Indonesian island of Java. Humid land setup with a large shallow water dish, mild heat-mat control, and a varied omnivore diet.
At a glance
Quick facts
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
-
Warm end
~78 °F
26 °C · cooler spp.
-
Night drop
~68 °F
20 °C · mat-stat
-
Spray
1–2× / day
Avoid waterlogging
-
Diet
Omnivore
Salad · fish food · plant matter
01 · Housing
Enclosure & housing
Semi-terrestrial rainforest setup: humid land, cork hides, plastic plants, a large shallow water dish, and a heat mat on the back or side.
Adult minimum size
12″ W × 10″ D × 8″ H
Terrarium for a small semi-terrestrial crab. Exact needs can vary by species — ask if you need clarification.
Substrate
- Humidity-retaining orchid bark or coconut bark
- Keep humid with daily spray — avoid waterlogging
- Full clean about every six weeks if kept relatively clean
Cleaning
- Daily: spot clean to keep the environment fresh and limit bacteria
- About every six weeks: full clean — replace substrate, disinfect decor and terrarium
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 12″ × 8″ (depth 10″) · heat mat on back/side · cork hides · plastic plants · large shallow water dish
- Adult minimum — 12″ × 10″ × 8″ terrarium
- Heat mat — along the back or side on a mat-stat
- Hides — cork bark or logs to hide under
- Plastic plants — cover and visual interest
- Large shallow dish — water area; treated or bottled water only
- Substrate — orchid bark or coconut bark
Setup diagram
Heat mat & thermostat
Mat on back or side · mat-stat · ~78 °F day / ~68 °F night (cooler species) · confirm on purchase
- Mat — along the back or side of the terrarium
- Control — mat-stat thermostat required
- Day — about 78 °F (26 °C) for cooler species
- Night — about 68 °F (20 °C); species may vary
02 · Climate
Temperature, humidity & water
Mild heat-mat control, daily spray without waterlogging, and a large shallow dish of treated water — no UV on this sheet.
Daytime warm end & night drop
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of ~78 °F (26 °C) warm end · cooler species creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cooler side | Away from mat (Gradient) |
| Warm end (mat) (thermostat probe target) | ~78 °F (26 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~68 °F (20 °C) at night · cooler species · confirm on purchase |
Heat
- Supplementary heat required
- Heat mat on back or side + mat-stat
- Cooler spp.: day ~78 °F · night ~68 °F
- Confirm targets for your species at purchase
Humidity
- Spray once or twice a day
- Keep humid but avoid waterlogging
- No UV lighting listed on this care sheet
Climate diagram
Humidity & water dish
Spray 1–2× daily · large shallow dish · avoid waterlogging · treated water only
- Spray — once or twice daily to keep humidity up
- Shallow dish — large but shallow water area always present
- Waterlogging — keep humid, but do not flood the substrate
- Hydration — bowls and spray droplets
Water safety
- Large shallow water dish always available
- Hydration from bowls and spray droplets
- Treat with de-chlorinator (e.g. Reptisafe) or use bottled water — never tap water
03 · Nutrition
Diet & feeding
True generalists — salad, fish food, plant matter, decaying bug matter, and more.
At a glance
Feeding cheat sheet
- Style
- Omnivore — almost anything in small amounts
- Examples
- Salad · fish food · decaying bug matter · plant matter
- Hydration
- Water dish + spray droplets · treated water only
Offer variety
From the care sheet
- Bits of salad
- Fish food
- Decaying bug matter
- Plant matter
Water
Always available
- Large shallow dish
- Spray droplets also used
- Reptisafe or bottled water only
Essentially they will eat almost anything — rotate options and remove uneaten soft foods promptly to limit bacteria.
04 · Behaviour
Handling & behaviour
Settle first — regular feeding is your cue to start short sessions.
- Step 1
Settle first
Allow the crab to settle before handling. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse. Regular eating is a good sign they are ready.
- Step 2
Short sessions
Early sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as they become more comfortable.
- Hygiene
Wash hands
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling.
- Warning
No aerosols
No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can be harmful.
05 · Welfare
Health & welfare
Correct mild heat, humid-but-not-soggy substrate, safe water, and regular cleaning are the foundation of crab welfare.
Best prevention: good husbandry
Heat-mat control on a mat-stat, daily spray without flooding, a large shallow dish of treated water, varied food, and daily spot cleaning keep vampire crabs thriving.
Questions
FAQ
What size terrarium does a vampire crab need?
Adult minimum is 12″ wide × 10″ deep × 8″ tall. Use humidity-retentive orchid bark or coconut bark, cork bark or logs to hide under, plastic plants for cover, a large shallow water dish, and a heat mat on the back or side on a mat-stat. Spray once or twice daily without waterlogging. Details can vary by crab species — ask if you need clarification.
How do I heat a vampire crab setup?
They need supplementary heating. Place a heat mat along the back or side of the terrarium on a mat-stat. For cooler species, set about 78 °F (26 °C) by day and drop to about 68 °F (20 °C) at night. We double-check targets with you upon purchase because species can differ.
How do I keep humidity and water safe?
Spray the enclosure once or twice a day to keep humidity up, but avoid waterlogging. Provide a large shallow water dish. Hydration also comes from spray droplets. Treat all water with a de-chlorinator such as Reptisafe, or use bottled water — never straight from the tap.
What do vampire crabs eat?
They eat a wide variety: bits of salad, fish food, decaying bug matter, plant matter, and more — essentially almost anything. Offer a varied diet and keep food areas clean.
When can I start handling my vampire crab?
Allow the crab to settle before handling — adapting is stressful. Once they are eating regularly, short sessions of 5–10 minutes are a good start; lengthen as they become more comfortable. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Next steps
Ready to set up your Vampire Crab?
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
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