Banana crab

Common Name: Banana Crab
Scientific Name: Terrathelphusa

Adult Size: Up to 8cm
Native Range: Java, Indonesia

Enclosure: Secure paludarium with large land area
Heating: Ambient 22–24 °C; no basking required; night drop not reliably verified

Humidity: 70–80% with good airflow; keep land damp, not swampy

UVB: Low Output

Diet: Omnivore leaf litter/veg plus meaty foods (insects/fish/shrimp) in rotation

Water: Dechlorinated freshwater pool with easy access in/out; keep clean with filtration and regular partial changes

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Banana crabs are small, pale yellow semi-terrestrial freshwater crabs sold under the genus Terrathelphusa. In nature they’re associated with stream edges and damp lowland habitats, spending a lot of time on land but returning to water to feed and rehydrate.

They’re active at dusk and overnight, and they feel safest when they can disappear, think leaf litter, cork bark, rock piles and multiple tight hides. They’re also surprisingly good climbers and will exploit gaps, so a secure lid and tidy cable management matters.

A set-up that combines a generous land section, a shallow freshwater area, and lots of cover tends to show the best natural behaviour, from foraging to digging and rearranging the décor.