Vampire Crabs!

Geosesarma spp., also known as vampire crabs, are nifty little creatures!  They are quite colorful, and their names normally refer to their glowing yellow eyes and nocturnal behavior. A semi-terrestrial species native to SE Asia, they ideally require an 80% land to 20% water enclosure - such as a Paludarium or Front-Opening Terrarium that can hold water! 

A minimum of a 10 gallon tank is suggested for a small group of 2-4 crabs for beginners. They spend the majority of their time on the land, but water is ever important for some of their other natural habits like molting. These unique invertebrates enjoy soft substrate to explore such as coconut coir, sphagnum moss, and other organic soils/sands suitable for burrowing. Just be sure to have a tight-fitting lid for your enclosure since these little ones are fantastic at climbing and expert escape artists otherwise!

 While these omnivorous critters may not be "blood-suckers" like their name implies, they are scavengers and actually eat a wide variety of foods - from pellet diets to blanched vegetables, bloodworms, and even leaf litter. On the other hand, due to being both predator and prey in the wild, they are generally a bit shy and skittish. Being quick to hide for safety and comfort, it's best to give them lots of hiding places such as rocks/lairs, driftwood, and densely planted areas. 

Although it is best to keep Vampire Crabs in a species-specific tank for the most part, even avoiding mixing of colors or different Geosesarma species, you can incorporate other fun additions that are equally rewarding to observe - like springtails and isopods or small freshwater snails and shrimp! Isopods and springtails act as a sort of "clean-up crew" in bioactive habitats, and shrimp or snails can also be kept - but be warned they may be opportunistically eaten by the vampire crabs on occasion! However, they can be beneficial to the overall environment of the enclosure too. 

 Now at Uncle Bill's Pet Centers, you can take home your very own Black & Purple Vampire Crabs (perfect for complimenting an enclosure full of greenery!) for only $7.99 each - PLUS, we have several BioActive supplies on sale now such as ZooMed Labs Sphagnum Moss, ReptiSoil, & BioActive Kits and Exo Terra Hides & Foggers - today through 3/29/26 with your Extra Value Card!