Volcano crab

Common Name: Volcano Crab
Scientific Name: Scandarma splendidum

Adult Size: Up to 2.1cm
Native Range: Bako National Park area, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo 

Enclosure: Secure-lidded paludarium with climbing structure; minimum 60 × 30 cm footprint, with both land + shallow water access
Heating: No basking; ambient temperature

Humidity: 60% - 80%

Diet: Mixed invertebrate foods plus plant matter

Water: Provide clean, dechlorinated water with easy entry/exit

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Scandarma splendidum is a striking sesarmid crab originally described from Sarawak (Borneo) and noted for climbing and nocturnal activity. Field notes report individuals hiding among plants by day and emerging at night, including observations on vegetation above the ground and close to streams or puddles.

That “edge-of-water plus cover” lifestyle translates well to a paludarium that offers shaded land areas, textured climbs (roots, cork, rock), and a shallow water section they can access easily.

They’re quick, adept climbers and will test lids and cable gaps, so a tightly secured top matters as much as décor. Because “Volcano crab” is also used as a trade label for other crabs, keeping the ID tied to Scandarma splendidum helps avoid mismatched expectations.