Indonesian Hermit Crab

Coenobita brevimanus

The Indonesian hermit crab (Coenobita brevimanus), often called the purple land hermit crab, is a large terrestrial hermit crab from islands of the Indo-Pacific, including Indonesia. Adults may show purple, lavender, brown, or tan tones and have a heavy body with an enlarged claw used to close the entrance of a borrowed snail shell. Like other land hermit crabs, it breathes with modified gills that must stay moist and returns to the sea to release larvae, even though adults spend most of their lives on land.

Most animals in the pet trade have been wild collected, so long-term keeping should account for both welfare and harvest pressure. A warm humid crabitat with deep molt-safe substrate is more important than a decorative setup, since crabs may bury for weeks while shedding. They need both marine saltwater and freshwater, many natural shells in suitable sizes, and a varied diet that includes plant matter, calcium, and some animal protein. Painted shells, dry air, and shallow substrate are common causes of harm. Captive breeding is difficult because the larvae require marine conditions, making responsible sourcing and long-term care especially important.