Hey there! I’ve been keeping fairy shrimp for several years now, and let me tell you – these fascinating little creatures have some pretty unique eating habits. If you’re thinking about raising fairy shrimp or just curious about their diet you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about feeding these delicate aquatic pets!
Quick Answer
Fairy shrimp are filter feeders that primarily eat
- Algae and bacteria
- Microscopic protozoans and rotifers
- Tiny organic particles
- Flatworm eggs
- Arcella (a type of amoeba)
Natural Feeding Habits
In their natural habitat (those temporary vernal pools), fairy shrimp swim belly-up using their 10 pairs of leg-like appendages called phyllopods. These legs aren’t just for swimming – they’re also tiny food-gathering tools! The shrimp use them to filter tiny particles from the water while gliding around.
Feeding Your Fairy Shrimp in Captivity
The Famous “Yeast Soup” Recipe
Here’s my go-to recipe that’s worked great for my fairy shrimp:
Ingredients:
- 1 packet dried yeast (baker’s or brewer’s)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Small pinch of crushed fish food flakes
- 1/3 cup hot spring water
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly
- Let sit for at least 1 hour
- Store in fridge when not in use
- Feed using eyedropper – just a few drops!
Alternative Food Options
- Rice Bran Solution
- Mix small amount with tank water
- Creates nutritious cloudy solution
- High in protein and fiber
- Powdered Algae
- Spirulina powder
- Chlorella powder
- Mix with tank water until slightly cloudy
Important Feeding Tips
⚠️ Watch Out! Here are some crucial things I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way):
- Never Overfeed
- Feed every 2-3 days only
- Water should be slightly hazy, not cloudy
- If water becomes opaque, stop feeding!
- Water Quality
- Use spring or distilled water
- Avoid tap water (chlorine kills them!)
- Keep temperature between 60-80°F
- Feeding Schedule
- 1-2 drops of food per inch of tank water
- Feed less frequently in cooler temperatures
- Monitor water clarity before each feeding
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things go wrong. Here’s what to do:
Cloudy Water Blues
- Stop feeding immediately
- Do partial water change
- Clean tank bottom
- Wait until water clears before feeding again
Lethargic Shrimp
If your fairy shrimp seem sluggish:
- Check water parameters
- Ensure proper temperature
- Try feeding yeast solution
- Consider water change
Signs of Happy, Well-Fed Fairy Shrimp
You’ll know your fairy shrimp are eating well when:
- They swim actively
- Show bright colors (orange, white, blue, or green)
- Produce eggs regularly
- Maintain clear tank water
- Have minimal waste buildup
Pro Tips from My Experience
- Food Preparation
- Make fresh yeast solution weekly
- Store unused portion in fridge
- Shake well before each use
- Feeding Technique
- Use clean eyedropper
- Add food slowly
- Watch shrimp reaction
- Stop if they seem disinterested
- Tank Maintenance
- Regular water changes
- Remove excess debris
- Monitor water quality
- Keep consistent temperature
Final Thoughts
Feeding fairy shrimp isn’t rocket science, but it does require attention and care. I’ve found that less is often more when it comes to feeding these delicate creatures. They’re pretty good at letting you know when they’re happy – just watch their behavior and the water clarity.
Remember, these little guys typically live anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on their environment. With proper feeding and care, you can help them thrive during their short but fascinating lives!
Quick Reference Table
| Food Type | Frequency | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yeast Solution | Every 2-3 days | 1-2 drops/inch | Water should stay clear |
| Rice Bran | Every 2-3 days | Tiny pinch | Mix well before adding |
| Spirulina/Chlorella | Every 2-3 days | Small amount | Don’t overfeed! |
Happy fairy shrimp keeping! Got any questions about feeding these cute critters? Drop them in the comments below!
Scientific NameBranchinecta lynchiCommon Namevernal pool fairy shrimpFWS CategoryCrustaceans Kingdom
At the time of listing in 1994, the vernal pool fairy shrimp was known from 32 populations stretching from Shasta County, California, south through the Central Valley to Tulare County and along the central coast range from northern Solano County to San Benito County, California, as well as four additional populations in southern California.
Since the vernal pool fairy shrimp’s listing, surveys of vernal pools and other temporary waters throughout the western United States have resulted in an increase in the shrimp’s known range. The vernal pool fairy shrimp is currently found in 32 counties across California’s Central Valley, central coast, as well as southern California and Jackson County, in southern Oregon. The species lives in a variety of vernal pool habitats and occurs in 13 of the 17 vernal pool regions and 45 of the 85 core recovery areas identified in California and Oregon.
Land on which the natural dominant plant forms are grasses and forbs.
Environments influenced by humans in a less substantial way than cities. This can include agriculture, silviculture, aquaculture, etc.
Areas such as marshes or swamps that are covered often intermittently with shallow water or have soil saturated with moisture.Characteristic category
Similar SpeciesCharacteristicsSimilar SpeciesCharacteristic category
Vernal pool fairy shrimp are opportunistic filter feeders. They eat algae, bacteria, protozoa, rotifers and bits of waste from other plants and animals present in their environments. They face competition from other fairy shrimp species.Characteristic category
Female vernal pool fairy shrimp carry fertilized eggs in a sac on the underside of their body. The eggs are either dropped to the pool bottom or remain in the brood sac until the mother dies and sinks to the bottom of the pool.
When the pool dries out, so do the eggs. Resting fairy shrimp eggs are known as cysts. Cysts may remain viable for multiple years due to their protective coverings that help them withstand extreme environmental conditions and even digestion by predators. The cysts remain in the dry pool bed until hatching begins in response to rains and the return of water in the vernal pools.Life Span
The lifespan of the vernal pool fairy shrimp is 91 days on average. Vernal pool fairy shrimp can be found in vernal pools starting in November most years, and complete their entire life cycle by early May. On average, vernal pool fairy shrimp take 18 days to mature after hatching and 40 days to reproduce. Multiple cohorts of eggs may hatch in a single vernal pool throughout the wet season, given the right conditions. Vernal pool fairy shrimp disappear before the vernal pools dry.
Vernal pool fairy shrimp are non-migratory and have little ability to disperse on their own. Aquatic birds are the most likely agents of dispersal of vernal pool fairy shrimp. Large mammals are also known to act as distributors by wallowing in dirt, getting cysts caught in their fur and transporting the cysts to another wallow. Additionally, cysts can be ingested, passed through the digestive tract and then deposited in new habitats when the animal urinates.Characteristic category
How I successfully grow fairy shrimps!
FAQ
What do you feed fairy shrimp?
In captivity, they will live quite happily on a diet of “yeast soup”. To make yeast soup, dissolve one packet of dried yeast (either bakers or brewers yeast), one teaspoon of sugar, and a big pinch of crushed fish food flakes in 1/3 cup of hot water (around 100 degrees, microwave some of your spring water).
Can humans eat fairy shrimp?
As vernal pool season approaches here in Vermont, the mystical fairy shrimp will also be making their yearly appearance. Yes, you read that correctly, Vermont shrimp exist but we don’t suggest you eat them!
How to keep fairy shrimp alive?
Hatch at 74F, using distilled water, in a seperate hatching tank. Transfer nauplii as needed. Keep water temp between 70-78. Fees only live chlorella or spirulina algae. Feed every other day. Stop feeding if the water becomes cloudy.
Are fairy shrimp filter feeders?
Fairy shrimp are large-bodied filter feeders that serve as an important link between primary producers and predators. They feed on bacteria, microzooplankton, and detritus.