Coral Crab (Trapezia rufopunctata)

This unmistakable crab is easy to find if you are familiar with its preferred habitat. Coral Crabs live exclusively among the branches of pocillopora corals, and wedge themselves so tightly among the branches that the only way to remove them is to remove the entire coral head from the water. Their characteristic pattern, red spots on a white or pink background, is similar to that of two small fishes (a blenny and scorpionfish), which also inhabit the same coral. The family Trapeziidae is one of the easiest crab groups to recognize, as the members have a squarish carapace, and relatively long, flattened clawed legs (chelipeds). They are true crabs (brachyurans) as evidenced by the shortened antennae, and a very short abdomen which is folded under the body. Although many species exhibit considerable variation in color pattern, many are entirely or at least partly red. All crustaceans have jointed limbs, which are readily regenerated if broken or self amputated when escaping a predator.