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Bluebolts posted on this a few years back, but breeding deformed shrimp here in Australia is sadly currently a reality that some people will encounter. Be aware what a balloon head and an Open skirt looks like. The shrimplets look very slightly abnormal if you don't know what you are looking for, once you know how to spot this, you can cull immediately. I get it, I really do: shrimp are expensive and adorable and that is why people are reluctant to cull. What is a relatively rare occurency, if you cull early, your colony will be fine. If you don't cull and you start breeding these, you will be overrun by deformed shrimp in a few years. This issue was highlighted in 2011 when a deformed shrimp wine the Hanniver shrimp show when the judges did not pick up the Deformity. It is not okay to breed shrimp like this and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. It is not okay for a successful senior breeder to sell these shrimp and telling buyers there is nothing wrong with them. This is what is happening here at the moment. Please see Chris Lukhaup's link below. There is also a good article in breeders n keepers on this. The Open Skirt where the carapace is undersized and the gills are visible is showing up regularly here now. http://crustahunter.com/deformities-in-high-bred-shrimp/?lang=en

Its always good to be able to reference text based information to actual photos to put everything into hindsight.

See it right behind the eyes.

Hi @Foxpuppet, On my browser all 3 images are showing. If they are not working, you can use the below: Balloon head deformity ( credit: BlueBolts) Open Skirt deformity ( credit: crustahunter)

Lucas, J. S., 1980. Spider crabs of the family Hymenosomatidae (Crustacea; Brachyura) with particular reference to Australian species: systematics and biology. Records of the Australian Museum 33(4): 148–247. (bottom of pg 210)

I have a separate tank just for the Alphas, i wouldn't want any in my Opae ula tanks because it will hinder breeding for the Opae ula. I think they are great but are very shy and prefer to hide in the shadows.

Alright, when I can get some additional funds I'll look at sorting something out.