Why does it matter where inverts are sourced from?

KMench · Nov 20, 2017

So I was looking at LiveAquaria, and they offer different options for cleaner shrimp sourcing, ranging from Africa, to Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Does it matter where they are sourced from? I know for fish, that their colorations and capture methods can vary based on area, but don't think I've seen a skunk cleaner shrimp look any different from each other.. Please give me some education here ;Bookworm lol

Mr. Bill · Nov 20, 2017

Hmmm... not sure why LA separates the skunk cleaner shrimp by origin; of the several online vendors I checked, only one other one does that. They're found in all the world's tropical reefs, and nobody lists any difference in them based on locale. I'll be following this one... maybe someone else can find something.

cmcoker · Nov 20, 2017

There's some difference between the sri Lanka ones I think, at least my LFS says so and that's why they charge double.. I don't remember the difference cause I got the cheap one..

Mr. Bill · Nov 20, 2017

cmcoker said:
There's some difference between the sri Lanka ones I think, at least my LFS says so and that's why they charge double.. I don't remember the difference cause I got the cheap one..

Unfortunately, some LFSes will try to capitalize on anything. Although LA and one other vendor separate them by origin, it doesn't affect the price.

cmcoker · Nov 20, 2017

Mr. Bill said:
Unfortunately, some LFSes will try to capitalize on anything. Although LA and one other vendor separate them by origin, it doesn't affect the price.

Yeah, I think they said something about better color or something... I dunno seemed silly to me

KMench · Nov 20, 2017

Which one is supposed to have better color? I could also imagine capture techniques changing based on region. I’ve not heard much about African practice, but it seems pretty loose in the Philippines when compared to say, Australia.

cmcoker · Nov 20, 2017

KMench said:
Which one is supposed to have better color? I could also imagine capture techniques changing based on region. I’ve not heard much about African practice, but it seems pretty loose in the Philippines when compared to say, Australia.

They said Sri Lanka were the better ones, I dunno if that's true or just the reason they gave since they wanted double the price..

madweazl · Nov 20, 2017

Color variations can be quite a bit different in regard to intensity with some species.

KMench · Nov 21, 2017

@madweazl can you provide info re: cleaner shrimp? I haven't found much searching google about the issue

madweazl · Nov 21, 2017

KMench said:
@madweazl can you provide info re: cleaner shrimp? I haven't found much searching google about the issue

When it comes to the cleaners, no clue. Other fish (i.e miniatus groupers) can vary wildly from rather boring spots to electric blues on an intense red.

KMench · Nov 21, 2017

Yeah, I knew it mattered for fish coloration. Just wasn’t sure about inverts.

cmcoker · Nov 21, 2017

Found an article about Sri Lanka fire shrimp, maybe that's what LFS was thinking about but I was looking at plain cleaners. Maybe they generalized to all Sri Lanka shrimp, I don't know

"fire shrimp from Sri Lanka are generally regarded as superior in terms of size, coloration, and hardiness (rightly so, in my opinion)."

From https://www.reef2rainforest.com/201...tion-of-a-reef-aquarium-staple-in-sri-lanka/

Article talks about how they are shipped and treated well too so maybe handling plays a role as well.

KMench · Nov 21, 2017

So, you would think all shrimp from that area would be better?

cmcoker · Nov 21, 2017

KMench said:
So, you would think all shrimp from that area would be better?

I have no idea to be honest. I think that's what my LFS was generalizing, but I don't know it wasn't just a sales ploy. The article lends some credence about the fire shrimp, in the authors opinion though.

Rufus’ goofs · Nov 21, 2017

Location also has a huge role in how ethically your fish, invert or coral are caught or harvested.

For example: A fish caught in Fiji is far more likely to have been caught humanely vs a fish in Indonesia.

KMench · Nov 21, 2017

How are harvest practices in Africa? I know Sri Lanka is better than Indonesia.

Rufus’ goofs · Nov 21, 2017

KMench said:
How are harvest practices in Africa? I know Sri Lanka is better than Indonesia.

I’m not sure, to be honest. I don’t even know much about Sri Lanka.

I do know that everything verifiably sourced from Australia, is extremely ethical.

There is a great presentation by Laura Simmons about sourcing your livestock. I believe BRS has it on their channel from her presentation at the San Diego macna.

Mr. Bill · Nov 22, 2017

cmcoker said:
I have no idea to be honest. I think that's what my LFS was generalizing, but I don't know it wasn't just a sales ploy. The article lends some credence about the fire shrimp, in the authors opinion though.

In revisiting LA, I noticed that less than half the shrimp offered are separated by place of origin. Of those that are, only one has a color variance listed in the description- the blood red fire shrimp. All are priced according to size; origin has no effect.

GlassMunky · Nov 22, 2017

Most likely they have them listed with where they were imported from so that they can keep their own records straight.
If you have the same animal coming in from different places around the world from different sources and pay different prices based on imprt fees etc, you gotta keep things straight.

Maritimer · Nov 22, 2017

In some cases (probably not very many...) folks may want to keep "biotope" aquaria, using fish, inverts and corals found at a particular location. If LA has the information, good on them for providing it!

~Bruce