Candy Crab
Hoplophrys oatesii
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Subphylum
- Crustacea
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda
- Family
- Epialtidae
- Genus
- Hoplophrys
- Species
- Hoplophrys oatesii
The candy crab (Hoplophrys oatesii) is a tiny, brightly coloured spider crab that lives on Dendronephthya soft corals and is almost impossible to tell apart from them. Its pink, red, orange or white body is covered in pointed spines and white patches that mimic the coral's polyps and spicules.
It is usually only 1-2 cm long. The crab enhances its disguise by attaching bits of its host's polyps to its body, and it feeds on mucus, plankton and organic particles collected by the soft coral. It almost never leaves its host colony.
Candy crabs are a classic macro subject in the Philippines, found on colourful Dendronephthya soft corals on walls and slopes. Spotting one takes patience, and careful buoyancy is essential so the delicate coral is not damaged.