The numbers
Enclosure
60 L+ glass, deep sand; keep 3+ together
Diet
Fruit, veg, leaf litter, dried shrimp, calcium foods · Fresh food daily/every other day
Temperature
25–29°C
Humidity
75–85%
Identity
Order / Family
Decapoda
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; wild-collected — no captive breeding
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Common in SEA trade
Adult size
Up to ~10 cm; large, heavy species
Lifespan
20–40+ yrs possible
Growth rate
Very slow
Activity & niche
Nocturnal terrestrial scavenger; deep burrower to molt
Temperament
Shy, secretive
Venom / defense
Harmless; can pinch hard with large claw
Price (THB)
80–300 (indicative)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25–29°C
Humidity
75–85%
Min. enclosure
60 L+ glass, deep sand; keep 3+ together
Substrate
15–20 cm damp play-sand/coco (deep enough to fully bury)
Hides / decor / water
Extra shells, climbing wood; BOTH fresh AND marine (salt) water pools
Diet
Staple food
Fruit, veg, leaf litter, dried shrimp, calcium foods
Feeding frequency
Fresh food daily/every other day
Supplements
Cuttlebone / crushed coral / eggshell (calcium); marine salt for bathing water — NOTE
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Occasional, gentle; may pinch — support the shell
Communal
Yes – social, keep in groups of 3+
Defense / stress signs
Retreating into shell, leaving shell (major stress), lethargy
Reproduction
Reproduction
Pelagic larvae — essentially not bred in captivity (all wild-caught)
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsStress from shallow substrate, low humidity, no salt water; PPS (post-purchase stress)
Red flags / quarantine
SignsMite/mould on shell; missing limbs; quarantine, offer proper molting substrate
Good to know
- Can live for decades and buries itself for weeks to molt underground.
Others in this group
Caribbean / Purple Pincher Hermit CrabCoenobita clypeatusGiant African Land SnailLissachatina fulicaRed Apple CrabMetasesarma aubryiRuggie Land Hermit CrabCoenobita rugosusVampire Crab (assorted Geosesarma)Geosesarma sp. (e.g. dennerle, 'red devil')Giant Pink-foot / Immaculate Land SnailAchatina immaculataGiant West African / Banana Rasp SnailArchachatina marginataConcave / Cavipes Land Hermit CrabCoenobita cavipes