Florent's Guide To The

Tropical Reefs

Soft Coral Crab
Hoplophrys oatesii
Soft Coral Crab
Also known as: Candy Crab
Category: Imitator Crabs
Scientific Name: Hoplophrys oatesii
Synonyms: Hoplophrys oatesi
Size: Up to 5/8 in. (1.5 cm)  
Depth: 30-100 ft. (10-30 m)
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific
Arthropoda (Phylum)
└Crustacea (Subphylum)
 └Malacostraca (Class)
  └Eumalacostraca (Subclass)
   └Decapoda (Order)
    └Pleocyemata (Suborder)
     └Brachyura (Infraorder)
      └Epialtidae (Family)
       └Pisinae (Subfamily)
        └Hoplophrys (Genus)
         └H. oatesii (Species)

Crustaceans
Imitator Crabs

Soft Coral Crab

White-V Hydroid Crab

Spongy Decorator Crab

Cryptic Teardrop Crab

Southern Teardrop Crab

Arrowhead Crab

Depressed Spider Crab

Wire Coral Crab



All Photographs
© 2025 Florent Charpin