Candy crab

Hoplophrys oatesi

''Hoplophrys'' is a monotypic genus of crab in the family Epialtidae. It contains the single species Hoplophrys oatesi, also known as the candy crab, Oates's soft coral crab, commensal soft coral crab and ''Dendronephthya'' crab.
Candy crab - Hoplophrys oatesii Little one, it has decorated its head with polyps from the soft coral. Candy crab,Fall,Geotagged,Hoplophrys oatesi,Indonesia

Appearance

''Hoplophrys oatesi'' is a very colourful crab that grows from 1.5 to 2 cm. It lives on various species of soft coral in the ''Dendronephthya'' genus. It camouflages itself by mimicking the colours of the polyps among which it hides. It adds further camouflage by attaching polyps to its carapace. Colours vary depending on the colour of the coral, and may be white, pink, yellow or red.

The first pair of legs of this species has small claws. The body has pointed spines with a red and white pattern, similar in appearance to the host coral.
Candy Crab -Hoplophrys oatesi The sweetest crab in the reef :-) Candy crab,Fall,Geotagged,Hoplophrys oatesi,Indonesia

Distribution

This crab widespread in the Indo-Pacific.
Candy crab - Hoplophrys oatesi View of the full crab's body. Candy crab,Fall,Geotagged,Hoplophrys oatesi,Indonesia

Food

''Hoplophrys oatesi'' feeds on plankton.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassMalacostraca
OrderDecapoda
FamilyEpialtidae
GenusHoplophrys
SpeciesH. oatesi
Photographed in
Indonesia
Philippines