Vampire Crab: More Cartoonish Than Blood-sucking

Vampire crabs belong to the Geosesarma genus, a group of small, semiterrestrial crustaceans native to Southeast Asia. Common species include Geosesarma dennerle and Geosesarma hagen.

Known for their purple bodies and bright yellow or orange eyes, these crabs can be aggressive and may attack or prey on other tankmates, so any mixed-species enclosure must be carefully planned.

Setting up a proper vampire crab enclosure means balancing land and water. These crabs spend most of their time on land but need a water section near the water's edge for hydration and molting.

A vampire crab paludarium should include:

Floating plant matter and taller plants offer extra coverage, while aquarium plants and a sandy base support digging and burrowing.

A blue RGB strip light not only enhances their natural color while also mimicking twilight conditions. Bonsai soil mixed with leaf litter works well for the land section, and rocks or driftwood create more hiding places.

Crabs are escape artists by nature, so be sure to cover every potential exit. Providing plenty of cover helps reduce stress and aggression, especially if you're keeping vampire crabs in small groups.

These crabs have been kept with fast-moving shrimp or small fish, but slow tankmates will likely be preyed upon; providing ample space is essential if attempting a mixed-species enclosure.

One male with two females is a common ratio to reduce territorial disputes. Each crab has a different personality, and females tend to be generally peaceful and more tolerant of one another.

More space means less conflict. Avoid aggressive fish or other animals that could injure or outcompete the crabs. A healthy mix of land and water encourages natural behaviors like burrowing and hiding.

Vampire crabs have a varied diet. In the wild, they eat plant matter, small bugs, insects and other organic stuff. In captivity, you can feed them:

They’re also part of a tank’s cleanup crew, helping consume uneaten food and debris.

If conditions are right, breeding can happen. Females carry the eggs until they hatch into tiny crabs — no larval stage required. Use plenty of moss and provide a safe, undisturbed area for raising babies.

Keeping vampire crabs healthy means maintaining clean water, offering a balanced diet, and mimicking their natural habitat as closely as possible. With the right setup, they’re a joy to watch and care for.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.