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Geosesarma notophorum

Scientific name Geosesarma notophorum
Descriptor Ng & C. G. S. Tan
Year of description 1995
IUCN category (World) NE
Family Sesarmidae
Genus Geosesarma
Geosesarma notophorum Geosesarma notophorum
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Introduction

Geosesarma notophorum is a little fresh water crustacea from the Oceania.

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Who is it?

Morphology

How to recognize Geosesarma notophorum ?

Geosesarma notophorum measures between 1 and 1.5 cm. Given its small size, this species is commonly referred to as a "dwarf" animal.

The crab always has 5 pairs of legs, the first pair of which is transformed into claws. Unlike other crustaceans, its size corresponds to the diameter of the shell and not to the length of its body.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • Sociability
    living in small groups
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Venomous
    No
  • Way of living
    nocturnal

Being an amphibian, it is equipped to get out of the water regularly. When it is outside, it does not use the oxygen of the air but the one kept in reserve in the cavities where its gills are.

Like all crustaceans, Geosesarma notophorum molts whenever it becomes cramped in its shell. Before the hardening of its new body, it is more vulnerable and spends a good part of its time hidden. This mechanism, very complex, allows the periodic renewal of the exoskeleton and part of the internal skeleton. It is also during the moult that the females become fertile.

Geosesarma notophorum is a crustacea living in small groups naturally found on the bottom. This species is omnivorous . this crustacea lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark. Measuring only a few centimeters, this small species tends to be discreet and hide in the presence of larger neighbors.

Geosesarma notophorum is a territorial animal that does not tolerate any incursions into its living area. It is particularly virulent against other territorial species and it can provoke heated fights. Relationships between conspecifics are also hectic, with each seeking to secure its place. In a constant quest for dominance, the dominant males of this species cannot stand each other. The battle between two individuals can be intense and violent. It will result in the submission and sometimes even death of one of the protagonists.

Geosesarma notophorum has a tendency to dig the ground and bury itself in caves to take refuge. It plays an important role in the ecosystem because it digs deep into the soil and helps to aerate it (preventing it from becoming compacted).

Reproduction

Like crayfish, females incubate numerous eggs under their abdomen. It is an exclusively freshwater species, the whole reproduction process takes place in fresh water. This species follows a mode of reproduction called "direct development". After several weeks of incubation, the female gives birth to fully formed juveniles ready to fend for themselves.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : NE

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    20 - 26 °C

Biotope presentation

The acidification of water comes from the decomposition of plants. This phenomenon changes the color of the water, which tends to turn brown. In some areas particularly rich in organic matter, the water is so dark that it is called "black water".

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    40 liters
  • Population min
    3
  • Temperature
    20 - 26 °C

Characteristics

  • Type of maintenance
    Aquaterrarium
  • Maintenance difficulty
    hard
  • Availability
    rare
  • Behaviour
    moderately aggressive
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Environment
    fresh water
  • Breeding
    fresh water

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for Geosesarma notophorum

Geosesarma notophorum is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 20 °C and 26 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 29°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

Geosesarma notophorum is a species whose maintenance is rather reserved for informed aquarists . It can only be successfully carried out by carrying out a minimum of documentation work. Special husbandry conditions can easily lead to the death of the species.

This species is very rare in the aquarium trade. Instead, it is maintained by knowledgeable aquarists who own and breed individuals from wild origin strains. If you want to get this species, we advise you to contact specialized clubs. }Specimens from long time breeding are a bit easier to breed but you have to respect the particular water parameters.

Copper is toxic to many invertebrates. Some fertilizers and aquarium foods contain copper sulfate and should be used with caution. Since Geosesarma notophorum are sensitive to copper, we do not recommend using these products in any form.

Precautions to take with crabs

The maintenance of crabs is never easy. They are intelligent invertebrates with a high sensory sensitivity that need specific environments. They are generally quite solitary, and you will have to be patient to get to know each individual.

amphibian crustacean

This species is amphibian and should not be kept in an exclusively aquatic environment. It must necessarily be raised in an aquaterrarium equally divided between land and water (50% of the surface).

Cohabitation & Environment

Geosesarma notophorum is a crustacea which it is advisable to maintain in specific aquarium. Associating it with other species is not fundamentally impossible but a documentation work is necessary for the constitution of the population. Being a living in small groups crustacea, it is advisable to install at least 3 individuals in an aquarium of 40 liters minimum. The maintenance in groups allows to observe its natural behavior within the aquarium.

The males of this species do not support each other, the maintenance of several of them in the same tank is strongly disadvised.

Due to their fragile state during moulting, all crustaceans need an environment provided with hiding places (roots, pebbles, leaves, plants, etc.) to shelter in case of danger. It spends part of its time in burrows. It is important to provide a substantial thickness of substrate so that it can build his refuge.

It should be noticed that this species should not be kept with large crustaceans or fish, as it would become a prey of choice. Smaller species should preferably be inserted in the aquarium some time before the larger ones. Moreover, if you want to breed it, it is better to put them in a specific aquarium.

Acid Water Maintenance

Geosesarma notophorum living naturally in acidic water, generally in "black" or "sieved" water, the implementation of a filtration on peat is ideal for its balance. Adding decaying leaves and alder fruit can significantly improve living conditions by naturally increasing acidity of some water.

Tips for feeding

Geosesarma notophorum is omnivorous.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • egg-laying protection
    No

Reproduction of this species is feasible in captivity, with the entire process taking place in fresh water. If the water conditions are met, the females will give birth to fully formed larvae that are ready to fend for themselves at birth. Young people are particularly fragile and it will be necessary to be particularly vigilant with all the maintenance parameters

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

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Scientific partners

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Tags

#Sesarmidae

#Geosesarma

#stream

#dwarf crab

#Oceania

Same genus

Species of the same biotope

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