Post larvae which have exoskeleton fouling are generally considered to be unsuitable to stock directly, depending upon the severity of fouling. The fouling, which in itself is generally not harmful unless it is sufficiently severe to affect oxygen uptake by the gills, is taken as a sing of poor PL condition. The degree of fouling is also considered to be important as it fairly common to encounter slight fouling of the shell by either bacteria or protozoa. The degree of fouling is graded according to location and severity of fouling.

..Filamentous bacteria stick on Pereiopods (wolking legs) of Post lavae..