
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Geosesarma dennerle
A small land crab endemic to Java, with violet claws and yellow eyes, its carapace two-toned in violet with a cream-yellow patch. It needs only shallow water and is kept in a land-dominated aquaterrarium.
Geosesarma dennerle is a small land crab described in 2015 from a river valley in central Java. It measures 38-51mm, with a predominantly violet carapace bearing a cream-yellow patch behind, bright yellow eyes and vivid violet claws. The carapace is almost square and the walking legs are long and slender. Males have narrow, pointed abdominal flaps and females broad oval ones, and males run slightly larger. It is nocturnal, burrowing under rocks and dense vegetation on damp valley slopes beside streams, and feeds mainly on small terrestrial insects and plant matter. In captivity a water depth of 5cm suffices and 20-27C is suitable, and it should not be housed with other Geosesarma species because of interspecific aggression. It was imported for more than a decade before its description, with its origin long unknown.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Vampire Crab lives 3-5 years.
The Vampire Crab grows to 38-51mm.
The ideal temperature for the Vampire Crab is 20〜27℃.
Origin
Indonesia (central Java)
Lifespan
3-5 years
Size
Sources: Wikipedia (Geosesarma dennerle) / Wikipedia (de: Geosesarma dennerle) / WoRMS
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.
Accepted name: Geosesarma dennerle Ng, Schubart & Lukhaup, 2015
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
38-51mm
Temperature
20〜27℃
Small insects, dried leaf litter and prepared crustacean foods
Keep it in a land-dominated aquaterrarium; a water depth of 5cm is enough. Provide substrate deep enough to burrow, refuges of rock and wood, and a layer of dried leaves. As a land crab it escapes readily, so secure the lid.
A temperature of 20-27C is suitable. It comes from damp habitat, so keep the substrate and air from drying out. The shallow water section fouls quickly and should be changed often.
Interspecific aggression is marked, so it must not be housed with other Geosesarma. In captivity it is strongly carnivorous and will hunt feeder amphipods and dwarf shrimp, so small shrimp are unsuitable company.
Field observations show it feeding mainly on small terrestrial insects such as grasshoppers, probably also on aquatic mosquito larvae and some detritus. In captivity it is strongly carnivorous, and like many crabs it also needs dried leaf litter in its diet.
The sexes are told apart by the abdominal flap, narrow and pointed in males and broad and oval in females. Keeping a surplus of females is recommended.
As a land crab it escapes easily, so lids and gaps matter, and it declines if humidity drops. Several colour forms are sold under the same trade name, and before the 2015 description it was confused with Geosesarma bicolor. It is not listed by CITES.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Vampire Crab is 20〜27℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Vampire Crab is 3-5 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Vampire Crab typically reaches 38-51mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Vampire Crab feeds on: Small insects, dried leaf litter and prepared crustacean foods. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Vampire Crab varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 28, 2026