Hey there fellow aquarium enthusiasts! Today we’re gonna tackle a common question that’s been floating around in the aquarium community – do cherry shrimp actually eat hair algae? I’ve kept cherry shrimp for years and lemme tell you, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
Quick Answer
Yes, cherry shrimp do eat hair algae but they’re not the most efficient at it. While these little red friends will nibble on hair algae they prefer softer types of algae and won’t completely eliminate a hair algae problem on their own.
The Truth About Cherry Shrimp and Hair Algae
What Cherry Shrimp Actually Eat
Our tiny red friends are pretty much like underwater vacuum cleaners They’ll munch on
- Soft green algae
- Brown algae (diatoms)
- Biofilm
- Plant debris
- Leftover fish food
- Hair algae (but not as their first choice)
Cherry Shrimp vs Hair Algae: The Real Deal
Look, I gotta be honest with ya – while cherry shrimp will eat hair algae, they’re not exactly the heavyweight champions in this department. Here’s why:
- Size Matters: Hair algae can be tough for their tiny pincers to handle
- Food Preference: They prefer softer, easier-to-eat algae types
- Efficiency: They’re more like maintenance crew than demolition team
Better Alternatives for Hair Algae Control
Amano Shrimp: The Real MVPs
If you’re serious about tackling hair algae, Amano shrimp are your best bet. These guys are like the professional algae eating team compared to cherry shrimp’s amateur status. They’re:
- Larger in size
- More aggressive algae eaters
- Better equipped to handle tough algae
A Winning Combo
For best results, try this setup:
- 3-4 Amano shrimp per 10 gallons
- 5-10 cherry shrimp per 10 gallons
- Regular tank maintenance
- Proper lighting control
Tips for Success
Making Cherry Shrimp Eat More Algae
Wanna get your cherry shrimp more interested in algae? Here’s what works for me:
-
Don’t Overfeed
- Less prepared food = more algae eating
- Feed only once every other day
-
Create the Right Environment
- Plenty of hiding spots
- Stable water parameters
- Good lighting (but not too much!)
-
Tank Maintenance
- Regular water changes
- Clean filter
- Control nutrient levels
Preventing Hair Algae in the First Place
Look, prevention is better than cure! Here’s what you can do:
- Keep lights on for 6-8 hours only
- Use fast-growing plants to compete with algae
- Regular water changes (20% weekly)
- Don’t overstock your tank
- Use proper filtration
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Relying Only on Shrimp
Don’t expect cherry shrimp to be your only algae control. They’re part of the solution, not THE solution. -
Wrong Numbers
Having too few shrimp won’t make a difference. You need a proper colony! -
Poor Tank Conditions
Unhappy shrimp won’t eat much algae. Keep their home clean and stable.
Final Thoughts
While cherry shrimp do eat hair algae, they shouldn’t be your primary weapon against it. Think of them as part of your tank’s cleanup crew rather than specialized algae destroyers. For serious hair algae problems, you’ll want to:
- Add some Amano shrimp
- Fix underlying causes
- Maintain proper tank conditions
- Use cherry shrimp as supplementary cleanup
Remember, there’s no magic bullet for hair algae control – it’s all about finding the right balance in your tank. Now go forth and keep those tanks clean!
Quick FAQ
Q: Can cherry shrimp survive on just algae?
A: Nope! They need a varied diet for optimal health.
Q: How many cherry shrimp do I need for algae control?
A: At least 5-10 per 10 gallons for noticeable impact.
Q: Will cherry shrimp eat black beard algae?
A: They might nibble on it, but don’t count on them to eliminate it.
Q: Do baby cherry shrimp eat algae too?
A: Yes! Even the tiny ones will help clean your tank.
Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
The Amano shrimp is such an effective algae eater that one of its common names is actually “algae eating shrimp”! With its transparent body, this species is not the most exciting to look at. Dont let that fool you, though. Its extremely popular due to being the go-to algae exterminator throughout the aquarium and aquascape hobbies.
Amano shrimp arent picky when it comes to algae and will eat almost any type, with black beard algae and cyanobacteria being the only common exceptions. A group of five or so should be enough to keep algae under control in tanks smaller than 20 gallons. Ten or more should work well for larger setups. Do keep in mind that a colony of Amano shrimp usually cant survive off algae alone, so youll have to provide them with additional food at least a few times a week. Pretty much anything works for this: high-end shrimp pellets, simple fish flakes or even some simple blanched peas. Amano shrimp will happily eat it all.
You can buy Amano shrimp at The Shrimp Farm! Order your aquarium cleaning crew here.
Cherry shrimp/Sakura shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Probably the absolute most popular aquarium shrimp in the hobby, cherry shrimp are appreciated for their red coloration, fast breeding and efficiency when it comes to eating algae. Like Amano shrimp, they will eat various types of algae – and they do it quickly. Cherries spend their entire day foraging, eating algae and biofilm wherever they can find them.
Just introduce a colony of at least ten cherry shrimp into your aquarium and sit back! They will multiply quickly, creating a larger and larger algae eating army. Overcrowding wont be an issue, as these shrimp have a low bioload. Most aquariums can sustain dozens or even hundreds of them, as long as youre offering additional foods regularly. If you do feel like your colony is expanding a bit too fast, just sell or give away a few shrimp to a fellow hobbyist.
You can buy cherry shrimp at The Shrimp Farm! Order your cherries here.