Disco Vampire Crab (Geosesarma tiomanicum) – Invite a Crab to Your Party
Disco Vampire Crab Geosesarma tiomanicum Ng, 1986 is a terrestrial crab commonly found in both commercial and home cultures. It is one of the most recognizable crabs of the Geosesarma genus, reaching a size of 3 to 7 cm. Scientifically described in 1986, it has since become popular in home aquariums and is now common in the trade. It closely resembles the species Geosesarma albomita Yeo & Ng, 1999.
Habitat
This species is endemic to Pulau Tioman Island in Malaysia.
Naming
In the trade, it is known by various names, including orange disco crab or vampire crab.
What Does the Disco Vampire Crab Look Like?
The disco vampire crab (Geosesarma tiomanicum) is an unusually beautiful crab, with bright orange colors, close to pink (salmon pink), found on its legs and carapace. The lower part of the body is dark brown, while the pincers are purple or purple-white. Sometimes, the crabs change the color of their legs to a grayish hue.
Living Conditions
This mountain species inhabits rocky areas of tropical forests near watercourses. It is closely associated with aquatic environments, hiding among stones, roots, in mulch, or digging burrows in loose soil. Young individuals spend more time in and around water.
What Does the Disco Vampire Crab Eat?
Geosesarma tiomanicum primarily feeds on small invertebrates and actively hunts them. It also consumes plant matter and carrion, but it prefers fresh prey. In captivity, it is best to feed it cricket and cockroach hatchlings, chironomid larvae, and other aquatic invertebrate larvae. Aquarium fish foods such as Tropical Ichtio-vit, Tropical Bio-vit, and Tropical Ovo-vit are suitable as well. Fruits like bananas and mangoes can be added to vary its diet. Though omnivorous, its diet mainly consists of invertebrates.
Activity
Disco vampire crabs are shy animals, active around the clock, both day and night. They are more active in larger groups, being a herd species. Geosesarma tiomanicum is less shy than other common crab species and shows less aggression.
Interesting Facts
Geosesarma tiomanicum is often confused with Geosesarma albomita due to their nearly identical body structures and minor differences in appearance. Both species inhabit the same island, live in close proximity to each other, and often enter the trade under the same name.
Literature
Personal observations and experiences.
Peter K. L. Ng, Christoph D. Schubart & Christian Lukhaup (2015) New species of “vampire crabs” (Geosesarma De Man, 1892) from central Java, Indonesia, and the identity of Sesarma (Geosesarma) nodulifera De Man, 1892 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Thoracotremata, Sesarmidae), Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.
Yeo, D.C.J. & Ng, P.K.L. (1999) A New Species of Geosesarma (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Grapsidae) from Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplements (6), 189-196.
Ng, P.K.L. (1986) Preliminary descriptions of 17 new freshwater crabs of the genera Geosesarma, Parathelphusa, Johora and Stoliczia (Crustacea Decapoda, Brachyura) from South East Asia. Journal of the Singapore National Academy of Science. 15: 36–44.
