Vampire crab "Tomato" - Geosesarma spec.

The Tomato Vampire Crab or Tomato Red Vampire Crab belongs to a not yet scientifically determined species from the genus Geosesarma. This bright red small Geosesarma sp. "Tomato" comes to us from Southeast Asia, it probably originates from the island of Java / Indonesia. The Tomato Vampire Crab belongs to the very popular Geosesarma land crabs in terraristics, which are known for their intense colors, their compatibility with planted wet terrariums and their comparatively easy keeping.

The Tomato Vampire Crab is bright orange-red, with only the facial shield slightly darker in burgundy. With a carapace diameter of about 2 to 3 cm the Tomato Vampire Crab is rather medium sized for a species of the genus Geosesarma. The males of the Tomato Vampire Crab have a V-shaped belly pouch tapering towards the front, the belly pouch of the females is shaped like an upside down U in Geosesarma sp. "Tomato".
The Tomato Vampire Crab is a socially inclined group animal and should therefore never be kept singly. Geosesarma sp. "Tomato" should generally not be socialized with other invertebrates, including other species or varieties of the genus Geosesarma, for reasons of compatibility.

The Tomato Vampire Crab is a semi-terrestrial land crab that belongs to the specialized reproductive type. The females carry few, but relatively large eggs under their abdominal flap, from which no larvae hatch at the end of the gestation period, which would have to develop in the water, but fully developed small juvenile crabs, which look like miniatures of their parents and which can go directly on a journey of discovery in the terrarium. In sufficiently large, well-equipped terrariums with plenty of Hiding places for the juvenile crabs, for example tubes and piles of leaves, juvenile crabs can grow up - however, both the adults and the sibling crabs like to predate on a juvenile from time to time. An extra rearing terrarium and early separation of the young crabs gives the little ones a better chance of survival.

A small group of 5-6 Tomato crabs - for example 2 males with 3-4 females - is well suited for a humid terrarium with a floor space of 60x30 cm or more. For three animals a footprint of 40x40 cm is sufficient. Surplus of females is always preferable, if possible. Geosesarma sp. "Tomato" is as a semiterrestrial land crab well adapted to the land life and needs for this reason no particularly deep water part. In the terrarium a shallow bowl about 10 cm high is sufficient as bathing place, which is filled with fresh water. The water hardness does not play an important role. Please pay attention to exit possibilities from the water!

In the crab terrarium for Geosesarma sp. "Tomato" coco humus or terrarium humus should be used as substrate. Because the crabs like to dig short living burrows into the substrate, the bottom should be about 10 cm high. The substrate should always be kept moist, because this has a favorable effect on the humidity in the terrarium. Furthermore, in the humid terrarium for Geosesarma sp. "Tomato" spray water twice a day, or you can work with a nebulizer to create the required humidity of 80-90%. The air temperature should be 20-26 °C.

The crab terrarium for Geosesarma sp. "Tomato" may be planted well. The vampire crabs do not eat the plants, therefore you have the full choice for the design of your jungle terrarium with vampire crabs. Particularly beautiful look Perennial plants, they are also safe from the digging activities of the Tomato Vampire Crab.

Pay attention to well-closing terrarium doors and ventilation plates without gaps, because Geosesarma sp. "Tomato" actively climbs and otherwise likes to leave the terrarium sometimes.

The Tomato vampire crab eats practically only meaty food. We recommend for the daily supply of the carnivorous Geosesarma sp. high-quality frozen food, FD food (such as freeze-dried insects or insect larvae of suitable size) and live food in the form of white isopods or springtails. By the way, these small animals also like to take care of dead plant parts and food left lying around. Special food for carnivorous crabs is also very suitable for feeding the Tomato Vampire Crab.

Our food recommendation: Crabs in nature usually have a very varied diet. Most species are omnivorous, and with the Natureholic Crab Feed Sticks we have taken this preference into account. They contain biologically balanced animal and vegetable components, which are also part of the natural food spectrum of omnivorous crabs in the wild in this or a similar way. The valuable ingredients of NatureHolic Crab Feed naturally support the molting, digestion, growth and reproduction of your crabs.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use marsh plants, which are plants that are rooted in soil that is very wet or even submerged, but whose flowers and leaves are usually all or partially in the airspace and can be seen above the water surface. Thus, marsh plants are usually found on and in lakes and streams, but also on and in garden ponds or other bodies of water that provide them with a wet substrate, but still leave room for flowers and leaves to show to the outside.

Expert Tip: We recommend NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid when keeping invertebrates. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your invertebrates. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.