The numbers
Enclosure
40–60 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
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Common in SEA trade
Adult size
~4–6 cm
Lifespan
10–20 yrs
Growth rate
Slow
Activity & niche
Nocturnal terrestrial scavenger; burrows to molt
Temperament
Active, vocal (chirps), curious
Venom / defense
Harmless; can pinch with claw
Price (THB)
50–200 (indicative)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25–29°C
Humidity
75–85%
Min. enclosure
40–60 L glass, deep sand; keep 3+ together
Substrate
12–15 cm damp play-sand/coco
Hides / decor / water
Extra shells, wood; fresh AND marine 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 (calcium); marine salt for bathing water — NOTE
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Occasional, gentle; may pinch
Communal
Yes – social, keep in groups
Defense / stress signs
Leaving shell, lethargy, limb loss
Reproduction
Reproduction
Pelagic larvae — not bred in captivity (wild-caught)
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsPPS, low-humidity stress, poor molts
Red flags / quarantine
SignsMites, limb loss; quarantine
Good to know
- Ruggies are the chatterboxes of hermit crabs — they chirp audibly.
Others in this group
Caribbean / Purple Pincher Hermit CrabCoenobita clypeatusGiant African Land SnailLissachatina fulicaRed Apple CrabMetasesarma aubryiIndonesian / Purple Land Hermit CrabCoenobita brevimanusVampire 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