Family

Common name: Decorator Crabs

Scientific name: Epialtidae

Epialtidae, commonly known as decorator crabs or spider crabs, are a family of crabs known for their habit of camouflaging themselves with materials from their environment. This unique behavior helps them blend into their surroundings, providing protection from predators. They are fascinating additions to a reef aquarium, where they can exhibit natural behaviors and contribute to the tank's diversity. Hobbyists should provide a variety of live rock and substrate for these crabs to utilize for their decorating. They are generally peaceful and can coexist with many other reef inhabitants.

  1. Soft Coral Crab Hoplophrys oatesi
    Common name: Soft coral crab
    Scientific name: Hoplophrys oatesi
  2. Common name: Bull Crab
    Scientific name: Naxioides taurus
  3. Conical crab, Xenocarcinus conicus, is a species of True Crab in the family Epialtidae
    Common name: Conical Spider Crab
    Scientific name: Xenocarcinus conicus
  4. Xeno crab (Xenocarcinus tuberculatus) on its whip coral host in the Lembeh Straits of Indonesia
    Common name: Decorated Crab
    Scientific name: Xenocarcinus tuberculatus