The numbers
Enclosure
Paludarium ~40 L, ~80% land : 20% freshwater
Diet
Bloodworms, dried shrimp, insects, veg, fish flake, leaf litter · Every 1–2 days
Temperature
24–28°C
Humidity
75%+
Identity
Order / Family
Decapoda
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; many undescribed; wild-collected
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Popular, colourful SEA paludarium crab
Adult size
~2–2.5 cm carapace (leg span ~5 cm)
Lifespan
2–3 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate
Activity & niche
Semi-terrestrial; nocturnal; NOT brackish — freshwater/terrestrial
Temperament
Shy, secretive; males territorial
Venom / defense
Harmless to humans; can give a small pinch
Price (THB)
150–400 (indicative)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–28°C
Humidity
75%+
Min. enclosure
Paludarium ~40 L, ~80% land : 20% freshwater
Substrate
Coco peat + sphagnum, 5–8 cm land; sand near water
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, driftwood, live plants (ferns, creeping fig); shallow FRESHWATER pool (they drown in deep water)
Diet
Staple food
Bloodworms, dried shrimp, insects, veg, fish flake, leaf litter
Feeding frequency
Every 1–2 days
Supplements
Cuttlebone / calcium for molting; some protein variety
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Minimal; may pinch — best observed, not handled
Communal
Yes – keep ~1 male : 2+ females; provide hides to reduce aggression
Defense / stress signs
Hiding, claw display, refusing food, failed molts
Reproduction
Reproduction
Direct development — female broods eggs, releases tiny fully-formed crabs (breedable!)
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsFailed molts (low humidity/calcium), drowning in deep water, aggression
Red flags / quarantine
SignsMissing limbs, lethargy; quarantine wild-caught imports
Good to know
- Named for glowing yellow eyes, not diet; unusually, they breed in freshwater with no larval sea stage.
Others in this group
Caribbean / Purple Pincher Hermit CrabCoenobita clypeatusGiant African Land SnailLissachatina fulicaRed Apple CrabMetasesarma aubryiIndonesian / Purple Land Hermit CrabCoenobita brevimanusRuggie Land Hermit CrabCoenobita rugosusGiant Pink-foot / Immaculate Land SnailAchatina immaculataGiant West African / Banana Rasp SnailArchachatina marginataConcave / Cavipes Land Hermit CrabCoenobita cavipes