How difficult is it to keep Purple land crab?

Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.

What should I feed Purple land crab?

Purple land crab feeds on: Omnivorous (mainly plant matter such as leaf litter and fruit). Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Purple land crab?

The price of Purple land crab varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Purple land crab

Intermediate

Gecarcoidea lalandii

A large land crab with a dark purple carapace, long legs and short claws. It is nocturnal, hiding in burrows by day, and lives mainly in forest. Egg-bearing females migrate to the coast to release their eggs.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Lifespan

Little data

Size

Little data (a large land crab)

Diet

Omnivorous (mainly plant matter such as leaf litter and fruit)

About

Gecarcoidea lalandii H. Milne Edwards, 1837 is a large land crab of the family Gecarcinidae, in the same genus as the Christmas Island red crab G. natalis. It is more widespread than that species, occurring in the Indo-Pacific from the Andaman Islands eastwards, and GBIF holds records from Okinawa Prefecture. The carapace is transversely ovate, swollen and smooth, and the colour ranges from purple brown to purple and reddish purple, with long legs and short claws. It is nocturnal and spends most of the day in burrows. Adults live mainly in forest but are sometimes found in more open habitats. Adult land crabs of this family can take oxygen directly from the air as well as through their gills, but they still need moisture. Egg-bearing females migrate to the coast and release the eggs in the intertidal zone. The larvae develop only in the sea, so captive breeding is difficult. Small adults are sometimes preyed on by the land crab Geograpsus crinipes. In Japan animals from the Nansei Islands are sold by shops that specialise in land crabs.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Basic Info

Origin

Indo-Pacific from the Andaman Islands eastwards (in Japan, the Nansei Islands)

Lifespan

Little data

Size

Little data (a large land crab)

Diet

Omnivorous (mainly plant matter such as leaf litter and fruit)

Care Guide

Enclosure

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Gecarcoidea lalandii H. Milne Edwards, 1837

Synonyms: Pelocarcinus lalandei (H. Milne Edwards, 1837), Limnocarcinus intermedius De Man, 1879

Authority databases: GBIF · GBIF · SeaLifeBase

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listed

It is not covered by the Invasive Alien Species Act or the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and is not listed by CITES (September 2026). Native populations exist on Japanese islands, so never release captive animals or move animals between localities.

Sources: Ministry of the Environment: Nationally rare species list (JA) / Ministry of the Environment: List of regulated alien species, including taxa needing an identification certificate (JA) / Species+ CITES query (not listed)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.