The Red Apple Crab is a communal, semi-terrestrial crab whose color changes with its mood!

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PLEASE NOTE: This species is a semi-terrestrial crab. Its habitat must be at least half (and preferably more) land with freshwater. It is an ideal paludarium animal.

The Red Apple Crab (Metasesarma aubryi) is a small, very colorful, semi-terrestrial species that is native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It inhabits forest areas near streams, rivers, and ponds near coastal areas. It spends most of its time on land, but also often submerges in freshwater. It is communal with its own species, though males will sometimes fight in the confines of a smaller enclosure.

In nature, the Red Apple Crab lives in leaf litter and vegetation. In the paludarium, it requires ample land area. It typically will not eat healthy ornamental plants, but it will often help keep them clean and it may consume dead leaves. Like most crabs, it needs plenty of cover, especially when molting, so lots of decor is necessary. While it is communal with its own species, it might be aggressive with other types of crabs. It is a skilled climber, so extra care must be taken to ensure that it does not escape its enclosure.

Like most crabs, the Red Apple Crab is an omnivorous scavenger and an opportunistic hunter on occasion. It will feed on filamentous algae and detritus in the paludarium and will also readily accept high-quality fish foods. Fresh and dried vegetables and fruits are also excellent food sources, as are insects, worms, and other invertebrates. It reportetly prefers plant matter over animal matter. Due to its opportunistic nature, the Red Apple Crab might eat other ornamental invertebrates and fish, so its tankmates must be chosen with great care.

*IMPORTANT* Please "Choose a Variant" above before adding this crab to your cart. We offer a "B-Grade" variant for these crabs. Our “B-Grade” crabs are simply specimens that are missing legs or claws unless otherwise stated. Loss of appendages is not permanent and happens commonly with crustaceans. They are completely healthy with excellent coloration and will completely regenerate lost appendages within 1 to 2 molts.

What We Like About This Crab:

Generally peaceful with its own species
Fascinating behavior and beautiful coloration
Ideal for paludariums
Easy to feed
Excellent scavenger

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

Temperature: 75° - 82° F (24° - 28° C)
pH: 7.5 - 8.0
KH: 4 - 10 dKH
Humidity: 75+%
Minimum tank size: 5-10 gallons for a male and 2 females. Larger colonies require larger tanks.

CARE GUIDELINES:

Diet: Omnivorous. High-quality sinking flakes and pellets, plants/algae, fruits, and freeze-dried or frozen meaty foods will be readily accepted. Cuttlebone or a similar material should be added to the aquarium to supplement calcium, which will aid in exoskeleton production
Social behavior: Peaceful with its own species. May fight with or prey on other species.
Origin: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand
Average adult size: 2 inches (5 cm) or less
Average purchase size: 1 - 2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm)

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Red Apple AKA Chameleon Crab (Metasesarma aubryi)

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