How to tell if a shrimp/invert is healthy before buying

Jakeem · 11/23/2017, 08:33 AM

Ive been planning on adding a cleaner shrimp to my tank however i do not know what to look for when buying a shrimp from my LFS.
Are there signs i should be looking out for like buying fish?

billdogg · 11/23/2017, 11:34 AM

Laying on it's back on the bottom is a bad sign

Is it moving around, perhaps picking at algae or other things in the tank? Does it react if a fish swims by?

Cleaner shrimps, especially the common skunk cleaner, are almost always out someplace where the fish can see them, waving their antennae around trying to attract a customer.

ROB2005 · 11/23/2017, 11:55 AM

One of the ways is to observe the person catching the shrimp. If the shrimp isn't putting up much resistance when attempting to net him, that might be a sign.

JUNBUG361 · 11/23/2017, 12:11 PM

What they said ^^

Uncle99 · 11/23/2017, 01:11 PM

Perched up high and swaying back and forth.
Not that's it's a health issue but colour intensity varies with shrimps so be discriminating, look for a deep rich solid red for the fires, and bright red stripe on the very white background on the skunks. Like any invert, temp and salinity acclimatization is important.

hkgar · 11/24/2017, 02:53 PM

I generally check their vitals - pulse, blood pressure and temp. and of course reflexes.

Tripod1404 · 11/24/2017, 03:18 PM

Put your hand in the tank, it it jumps on it and tries to clean it, it is healthy.

jlmawp · 11/24/2017, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripod1404

Put your hand in the tank, it it jumps on it and tries to clean it, it is healthy.

Sometimes I feel bad for not having parasites on my hands, and that I’m always a slight disappointment to my skunk cleaner.

11/23/2017, 08:33 AM	#1
Jakeem Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 50	How to tell if a shrimp/invert is healthy before buying Ive been planning on adding a cleaner shrimp to my tank however i do not know what to look for when buying a shrimp from my LFS. Are there signs i should be looking out for like buying fish?

11/23/2017, 11:34 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Laying on it's back on the bottom is a bad sign Is it moving around, perhaps picking at algae or other things in the tank? Does it react if a fish swims by? Cleaner shrimps, especially the common skunk cleaner, are almost always out someplace where the fish can see them, waving their antennae around trying to attract a customer. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/23/2017, 11:55 AM	#3
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	One of the ways is to observe the person catching the shrimp. If the shrimp isn't putting up much resistance when attempting to net him, that might be a sign. __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

11/24/2017, 02:53 PM	#6
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I generally check their vitals - pulse, blood pressure and temp. and of course reflexes. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

11/23/2017, 12:11 PM	#4
JUNBUG361 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Antioch,CALIFORNIA Posts: 1,091	What they said ^^

11/23/2017, 01:11 PM	#5
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Perched up high and swaying back and forth. Not that's it's a health issue but colour intensity varies with shrimps so be discriminating, look for a deep rich solid red for the fires, and bright red stripe on the very white background on the skunks. Like any invert, temp and salinity acclimatization is important.

11/24/2017, 03:18 PM	#7
Tripod1404 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,821	Put your hand in the tank, it it jumps on it and tries to clean it, it is healthy.