A shrimp brushing its antennae is not by itself evidence of parasites or irritation.

A close-up grooming movement

Shrimp use their small appendages to clean body parts and sensory structures. A brief brushing motion can look unusual if you have not watched the animal closely before.

Observe whether the shrimp returns to grazing and moves normally. A single grooming event does not establish a health problem.

Look at the whole aquarium

Check whether multiple animals behave differently, whether the filter is working, and whether anything was recently added to the water.

A repeated pattern paired with lethargy, loss of balance, or deaths deserves further investigation. Use water tests and the product history rather than diagnosing from a video clip alone.

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Avoid treating ordinary behavior

Do not medicate the aquarium because one shrimp cleaned itself. Treatments can affect invertebrates, and a product label may not cover shrimp safety.

If a concern continues, document the behavior and consult a qualified aquatic professional. Normal grooming is easier to recognize when you have a baseline for your own colony.

Sources and further reading

Use these as general hobby references. Test your aquarium and confirm product guidance before making changes.