Vampire crab
Geosesarma spp.
A small, colourful crab with yellow 'vampire' eyes that lives mostly on land, so it needs a humid paludarium rather than an aquarium.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 6 gallons
- Group
- 3+
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years
- Diet
- Crab pellets, fruit, small insects, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- Southeast Asia (Indonesia)
- Hardier than14%
- Bigger than29%
- Calmer than28%
Water: their range vs yours
Vampire crab tank mates
- Assassin snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bladder snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Malaysian trumpet snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Mystery snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Ramshorn snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Colombian ramshornGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Rabbit snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Great pond snailGreat pond snail needs cool water; vampire crabs need tropical heat.Risky
- Neon tetraVampire crab should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraVampire crab should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Fancy guppyVampire crab should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Panda corydorasVampire crab should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- OtocinclusVampire crab should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Cherry shrimpVampire crab should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for vampire crabs: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 5 cm (body)
- Adult mass
- 0.75 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.42 BU
- Min. water
- 19 L net
- Group
- 3+ (best 3)
- Swims in
- land, bottom
- Flow
- still
- Body / fins
- invertebrate, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Sources: PetSmart: Vampire crabs care guide
Care notes
Vampire crabs come from Southeast Asia, most likely Indonesia, and measure about 2 inches including legs. They live in groups but are territorial.
Three crabs fit a 5-gallon paludarium of about 75–80% land and 20–25% water, with humidity of 75% or higher and a tight lid. They usually live about 2 to 3 years.
Questions
What size tank does a vampire crab need?
At least 6 gallons (19 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2 inches without fins.
How many vampire crabs should be kept together?
Keep at least 3, ideally 3 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do vampire crabs need?
72–79 °F, pH 7–8 and 0–0 dGH. Vampire crabs come from Southeast Asia (Indonesia).
How long do vampire crabs live?
2–3 years with good care.
What fish can live with vampire crabs?
Good tank mates include Assassin snail, Bladder snail, Malaysian trumpet snail, Mystery snail and Ramshorn snail. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.