| Hoplophrys oatesii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Superfamily: | Majoidea |
| Family: | Epialtidae |
| Subfamily: | Pisinae |
| Genus: | Hoplophrys Henderson, 1893 |
| Species: | H. oatesii |
| Binomial name | |
| Hoplophrys oatesii Henderson, 1893 | |
Hoplophrys is amonotypic genus of crab in thefamilyEpialtidae. It contains the single speciesHoplophrys oatesii, also known as thecandy crab,Oates's soft coral crab,commensal soft coral crab andDendronephthya crab.[1][2][3][4]
Hoplophrys oatesii is a very colorful crab that grows from 1.5 to 2 cm (0.59 to 0.79 in). It lives on various species of soft coral in the genusDendronephthya. Itcamouflages itself by mimicking the colours of thepolyps among which it hides. It adds further camouflage by attaching polyps to itscarapace. 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.[1]
This crab is widespread in theIndo-Pacific in tropical climates. It is found in thebenthic zone at depths of 1–90 metres (0–300 ft).[5]
Hoplophrys oatesii feeds on plankton.
Media related toHoplophrys oatesii at Wikimedia Commons