Vampire Crab Geosesarma sp. 'Black Velvet'

The Vampire Crab Geosesarma sp. 'Black Velvet' is an undescribed trade form prized for its near-uniform deep black carapace — a velvety, non-reflective darkness that provides extreme contrast with the species' characteristic vivid yellow-orange eyes. The stark, high-contrast appearance makes it one of the most visually dramatic of all vampire crab trade forms.

Like all Geosesarma, this form is semi-terrestrial and requires a paludarium with a generous moist land section. The deep tropical soil substrate should be covered with living moss, leaf litter, and cork bark hides to replicate the forest floor habitat of its origin. Temperature should remain consistently tropical at 23–28°C, with humidity at 70–80%.

The 'Black Velvet' form is a direct developer — females carry eggs for four to six weeks before releasing fully formed miniature juveniles with the same dramatic black colouration as their parents. Small groups with one male and multiple females are stable in appropriately sized paludariums. A fine-mesh or solid escape-proof lid is absolutely essential at all times.

Water: 23–28°C, pH 7.5–8.0, GH 6–15, KH 3–10; shallow section only; dechlorinated; no chlorine or copper. Tank: minimum 30 L paludarium; moist tropical soil, living moss, leaf litter, cork bark; 60–70% land; escape-proof lid. Feeding: omnivore — dried insects, fruit flies, blanched greens, sinking pellets, catappa leaves; feed every 1–2 days. Breeding: direct developer; female broods 4–6 weeks; black-coloured miniature juveniles independent on emergence. Compatibility: 1 male to 2–3 females; incompatible with fish; do not mix with other Geosesarma forms.