Enclosures

Enclosure: The Paludarium

At its most basic Geosesarma must be kept with both a land feature and also a water feature and percentages of each vary from 70/30% to 80/20%, land and water, respectively, and this is what we call a paludarium.

Geosesarma can be social animals but total group sizing can and should be adjusted depending on the tank dimensions. Regardless of group total, Geosesarma should always be kept in groups with a bias towards more females over males. For example a group of one male and two females would be able to coexisit in a minimum tank size of 12"x12"x12" (. Geosesarma will always appreciate more room though if given. Some species do not do well if enclosures are not set up with the specific territory needs of Geosesarma and fighing can occur in some species more than others, but a 24"x12"x12" enclosure, depending on species, could accomodate a group of two males and four females. Larger groups may be possible in larger tanks.

Not often talked about in Geosesarma enclosures is the importance of climbing space which ultizies more of the maximum foot print in an enclosure and offers more resources for territory. When designing their tanks one should incorporate three dimesntional hardscape pieces that offer the ability for climbing and territory establishment on more than just the linear substrate floor surface. Geosesarma can be observed ultizing plants such as bromeliads in captivity, and there is even a relationship between the pitcher plant Nepenthes ampullaria and Geosesarma peraccae living sympatically with one another in the wild. So one should mindfully decorate in an enclousre beyond just planting plants to plant them and rather utilzing the hardscape, and plants, to serve the needs of these amazing crabs.

Another useful feature of enclosure design is the use of ample leaf litter. Leaf litter of the surface of the soil helps crabs feel secure as well as break line of sight between territory areas and also is loved by baby Geosesarma to be able to safely hide from adults when need be. Over time in the moist enviornments these crabs live in leaf litter will need to be resupplied as it begins to break down.

Basic Enclosure:

Orin McMonigle (2018) in Breeding the Vampire and Other Crabs shows and describes the most basic type of land set up possible in a paludarium using blocks of sponge with or without a layer of substrate and moss covering it. While it may not be the most attractive it is an efficient method for having both a water feature and a land feature. The foam serves as both a raised land feature and the drainage feature, or layer, for the land. The water feature is worked into it where the crabs can easily enter and exit the water feature by climbing up or down the edge of the foam sponge. The water feature in Orin’s set ups is actively filtered with the basic waterfall type filter.

Simply Planted Enclosure:

A simply planted tank can be done in a storage tub with a static or active water feature and planted with ample Epipremnum aureum to give the crabs places to hide between and within.

Full Planted Vivarium:

One of the most attractive setups one can create for terrestrial crabs is the fully planted vivarium which hosts a variety of plants and creates a sense of awe and wonder fully suitable for a display piece in your home. For these animals a vivarium is created with a water feature, either static or active, substrate, possibly hardscape, plants, and or mosses as well.

Fully planted vivaria can be made to work quite well for terrestrial plants and the crabs but it can be difficult to learn how to build vivaria that serve the correct function and husbandry requirements of the crabs. The TGD hope to provide a guide for correctly setting up terrestrial crabs here on this page.

An example (Left) of a paludarium vivarium for Geosesarma tiomanicum using two static water features. Courtesy of Connor Smotzer


An example of a 45gal paludarium with a static water feature left and an active filtered water feature on right

Courtesy of Connor Smotzer

A fully planted vivarium for Geosesarma hagen, Courtesy of Heath Gariss.

References:

  1. McMonigle, O. (2018). Breeding the Vampire and Other Crabs (Brachyura and Anomura in Captivity) Husbandry, Reproduction, Biology and Diversity. Coachwhip Publications.

  2. Smotzer, C. (2022). Geosesarma Vivarium, Photos 1-2. Permission granted soley to TGD.

  3. Gariss, H. (2022). Geosearma hagen Vivarium. Permission granted soley to TGD.