Vampire Crab Geosesarma dennerle

Geosesarma dennerle is one of the most recognisable and sought-after vampire crabs in the hobby. Native to forest streams and coastal humid lowlands of Sulawesi, Indonesia, it displays a vivid purple carapace that contrasts dramatically with its bright yellow eyes — a combination that has made it an icon of the paludarium world.

Like all Geosesarma, G. dennerle is semi-terrestrial and requires an enclosure that provides both a shallow water area and a generous land section with moist soil, moss, and leaf litter. It is not a fully aquatic species and will drown if it cannot access dry ground. Despite its small size — adults rarely exceed 2.5 cm carapace width — it is an active and entertaining species that can be kept in small groups.

Feeding is simple: G. dennerle accepts a wide variety of small foods including dried insects, small pieces of fruit, blanched vegetables, aquatic invertebrate foods, and sinking pellets. Its care requirements are more terrestrial than aquatic, making it accessible to hobbyists with paludarium experience. It is a direct developer, releasing fully formed juveniles rather than larvae, which simplifies breeding considerably.

Water: 23–28°C, pH 7.5–8.0, GH 6–15, KH 3–10; shallow water section 3–5 cm deep, dechlorinated. Tank: minimum 30 L paludarium, 60–70% land with moist tropical soil and moss, driftwood, leaf litter, secure lid essential. Feeding: omnivore — dried insects, fruit pieces, blanched vegetables, sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm; feed every 1–2 days. Breeding: direct developer; female carries 20–80 eggs; juveniles emerge as miniature adults; no larval stage. Compatibility: keep in groups of 1 male to 2–3 females; incompatible with fish; can be mixed with small tree frogs in large paludariums.