Red apple crab (Metasesarma aubryi) care guide

Group
Other invertebrates
Other names
Red apple sesarmid crab, Apple crab
Family
Sesarmidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific coasts
Water
brackish
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

Metasesarma aubryi is a small, colourful semi-land crab of the family Sesarmidae, sold as the red apple crab for its rounded red to orange body. It is one of two species in the genus Metasesarma. Our sources have little on this species; the figures are general guidance, not from a source. Sesarmid crabs like this live along coasts, in mangroves and on land near the shore, and spend much of their time out of the water. Keep it in a paludarium or crabitat with a large land area, hiding places, high humidity and a shallow pool of fresh or slightly brackish water it can climb out of easily. It is a skilled climber and escape artist, so a tight lid is essential. Keep a small group in a roomy enclosure, as males can be territorial. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and check the label of any treatment or fertiliser before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metasesarma). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Omnivorous scavenger: offer a varied diet of crab or shrimp pellets, fish flake, blanched vegetables, fruit, leaf litter and occasional meaty foods. Remove leftovers to keep the enclosure clean.

Breeding

Mating takes place on land and females carry the eggs. In sesarmid crabs like this the larvae are generally released into brackish or salt water and pass through a planktonic stage, so captive breeding is rarely achieved. Our sources do not describe its breeding.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best kept with its own kind in a dedicated paludarium. It will catch small fish, shrimp and snails, and fish in a shared pool are at risk. Males may fight if space is short.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.