Florent's Guide To The

South Florida Reefs

Cryptic Teardrop Crab
Pelia mutica
Cryptic Teardrop Crab
Category: Imitator Crabs
Scientific Name: Pelia mutica
Size: Up to 0.75 in. (1.8 cm)  
Depth: 20-130 ft. (6-40 m)
Distribution: Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean
Arthropoda (Phylum)
└Crustacea (Subphylum)
 └Multicrustacea (Superclass)
  └Malacostraca (Class)
   └Eumalacostraca (Subclass)
    └Eucarida (Superorder)
     └Decapoda (Order)
      └Pleocyemata (Suborder)
       └Brachyura (Infraorder)
        └Majoidea (Superfamily)
         └Epialtidae (Family)
          └Pisinae (Subfamily)
           └Pelia (Genus)
            └P. mutica (Species)

Crustaceans
Imitator Crabs

Cryptic Teardrop Crab

Southern Teardrop Crab

Spongy Decorator Crab



All Photographs
© 2025 Florent Charpin