Tomato vampire crab

Common Name: Tomato Vampire Crab
Scientific Name: Geosesarma dennerle

Adult Size: Carapace around 2.5cm; legspan up to 5cm
Native Range: Central Java, Indonesia

Enclosure: Secure-lidded paludarium with mostly land and a shallow freshwater section
Heating: ambient about 24–26 °C

Humidity: Around 80% with good airflow; keep the land section damp with some drier pockets

UVB: Low output

Diet: Leaf litter/veg plus insect and shrimp-style proteins in rotation

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

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The “Tomato” vampire crab is a bright red/orange trade colour form of Geosesarma dennerle, a small, land-leaning freshwater crab described from Central Java. In a well-covered paludarium it spends most of its time on land, moving through leaf litter and plant roots, then slipping into water mainly to drink and dip rather than to swim.

They’re crepuscular to nocturnal, so you’ll often see the most activity at dusk, slow, deliberate foraging, short bursts of climbing, and plenty of time tucked away in tight hides. Colour intensity varies between individuals and can look different under different lighting, but the overall “tomato” look is what makes them such a standout in planted set-ups.