Ever wondered if those transparent little critters in your aquarium actually munch on fish waste? Well, I’ve spent countless hours observing these fascinating creatures, and I’m here to share everything you need to know about ghost shrimps and their relationship with fish poop.
Quick Answer
Yes, ghost shrimp do eat fish poop, but not in the way most people think They mainly consume the biofilm that forms when fish waste breaks down, rather than eating fresh poop directly. While they help keep your tank tidy, you shouldn’t rely on them as your primary waste management solution
Ghost Shrimp’s Natural Diet
Let me break down what these little guys actually prefer to eat
Primary Food Sources
- Algae (especially bush and string varieties)
- Dead plant matter
- Leftover fish food
- Micro-organisms
- Biofilm
Secondary Food Sources
- Fish waste (after it breaks down)
- Decaying organic matter
- Small larvae
- Eggs
The Truth About Ghost Shrimp and Fish Poop
What Really Happens
Through my experience keeping ghost shrimp I’ve noticed they don’t actively seek out fresh fish waste. Instead they’ll wait until it transforms into biofilm, which typically happens after a few days in a well-established tank. This biofilm contains nutrients these little cleaners can actually use.
Benefits and Risks
When ghost shrimp consume fish waste, there are pros and cons:
Pros:
- Helps keep tank bottom cleaner
- Breaks down organic waste
- Natural part of tank ecosystem
Cons:
- High ammonia content in poop can harm shrimp
- Not nutritionally complete for them
- Shouldn’t be their primary food source
Proper Ghost Shrimp Diet
To keep your ghost shrimp healthy, here’s what you should actually feed them:
Daily Diet Recommendations
- Algae wafers
- High-quality shrimp pellets
- Blanched vegetables
- Small amounts of frozen foods
- Commercial shrimp food
Feeding Schedule
I’ve found that small portions 2-3 times daily work best. Remember, these little guys are constant grazers, so they prefer having access to food throughout the day.
Tank Maintenance Tips
Even though ghost shrimp help clean your tank, you still need proper maintenance:
Essential Maintenance Tasks
- Regular water changes (20-30% weekly)
- Gravel vacuuming
- Filter cleaning
- Removing uneaten food
- Testing water parameters
Common Misconceptions
Let’s bust some myths about ghost shrimp:
❌ “Ghost shrimp will keep my tank completely clean”
✅ They help but aren’t a substitute for regular maintenance
❌ “They only eat waste”
✅ They need a varied diet for proper nutrition
❌ “More shrimp means cleaner tank”
✅ Overstocking can actually create more waste
Setting Up the Perfect Ghost Shrimp Habitat
For ghost shrimp to thrive and perform their cleaning duties effectively:
Tank Requirements
- Minimum 5-gallon tank
- Temperature: 65-82°F
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- Plenty of hiding spots
- Live plants (if possible)
- Good filtration system
Compatibility with Other Tank Mates
Ghost shrimp work well with:
- Small peaceful fish
- Other shrimp species
- Snails
- Non-aggressive bottom dwellers
Avoid keeping them with:
- Cichlids
- Bettas
- Large fish
- Aggressive bottom feeders
Final Thoughts
Listen, while ghost shrimp do eat fish poop, they shouldn’t be your only cleanup crew. In my years of keeping aquariums, I’ve learned that these little guys are amazing helpers but not miracle workers. They’re part of a larger ecosystem that needs proper care and maintenance.
Your best bet is to treat ghost shrimp as one component of your tank’s cleanup crew, not the whole solution. Keep their tank clean, feed them properly, and they’ll reward you with their fascinating behavior and helpful cleaning habits.
Remember, a healthy tank is about balance – ghost shrimp can help maintain that balance, but they can’t do it alone. And hey, if you’re thinking about getting some ghost shrimp, make sure you’ve got a proper filtration system in place first!
Want more aquarium tips? Drop a comment below or check out our other articles about aquarium maintenance and fish care!
Do Shrimp eat poop, algae & debris? How to setup a no filter aquarium?
People think that none of the fish eats debris. Many experts think that no fish including Pleco Catfish & Bristlenose actually eat poop, as they are only algae eaters. Pleco Catfish is a large fish that produces heaps of waste. They actually convert algae into poop. Therefore, many experts think that the best cleaner fish is actually the human that runs the aquarium. I believed the same until I bought many Ghost Shrimps from a fish store with a discount, & they changed my mind. I have never read anywhere that Ghost Shrimps eat poop but saw them eating large poop of a medium sized Pleco. I could see the black poop inside the belly of the Shrimp. I was initially using sand in my aquarium bed but when I introduced a few Pleco Catfish in my tank, I would see heaps of poops in the sand that looked terrible. Therefore, I removed sand & added gravels so that the poops are not visible. Pleco Catfish is like a machine that converts algae into poop. Plecos are good at eating algae but they produce heaps of waste. When I saw clear gravel, I replaced gravel with sand. I did not siphon my sand for around half a year & still could not see any debris. Before adding Shrimps, I used to siphon my sand every week; however, Shrimps saved heaps of my time that otherwise would be wasted in maintenance. Nearly half a year without siphon, my sand looks crystal clear.
Plecostomus Catfish do not eat fish poop. They are algae eaters. So, if you want to get rid of poop, then buy Shrimp. If you have many Shrimp & heaps of aquatic plants, then there is no need to add a filter. Shrimps eat the waste, & plants absorb the toxic chemicals including ammonia, nitrites & nitrates. Shrimps will simply clean the tank, & save your time & effort. Shrimp eat uneaten food that settles down at the bottom of the tank, aquatic plants, fish poop, & other decaying organic matter that would otherwise rot & release ammonia. Therefore, Shrimp can replace a filter.
My story will help many beginners or those who have no time for aquarium maintenance. My advice is to buy several Shrimp as they will breed & multiply. I do not offer any food to Shrimps as I have a planted aquarium. My Ghost Shrimps eat plants, poop & algae.
Do Red Cherry Shrimp Eat Fish Poop? WILL RED CHERRY SHRIMP BREAK DOWN THE FISH POOP?
FAQ
Do shrimp eat fish poo?
Unfortunately, shrimp do not eat fish poop either.Dec 20, 2023
Do Ghost Shrimp keep a tank clean?
Yes, ghost shrimps keep your tanks clean by eating algae, decaying matter, detritus and any unfinished food that drop to the bottom of the tank.
What do Ghost Shrimp eat in a fish tank?
Ghost shrimp are scavengers and will eat a variety of foods in a fish tank. They readily consume leftover fish food, algae wafers, sinking pellets, and even dead fish or shrimp.
Will Ghost Shrimp eat a dead fish?
Shrimps will eat anything, even cannibalism isn’t off the table if one died.
Do ghost shrimp eat poop?
Ghost shrimps do eat fish poop. After a fish poops out his meal, there are still many nutrients in the fish waste which the ghost shrimp can digest. Ghost shrimp, like may other shrimp, are feeders of opportunity.
Do ghost shrimp eat small fish?
I plan to keep about 4 yo-yo loaches and a few shoals of schooling fish (neon tetras, danios, mollies, and maybe more smaller fish) in my tank. I heard that ghost shrimp eat small fish. What type of shrimp is best to keep in my proposed freshwater aquarium set-up? Amano shrimp are good tank mates for community fish.
Why do ghost shrimp not eat?
The most probable reason for disinterest in food may be the poor water condition of the ghost shrimp tank. The ammonia and nitrite level should be 0 ppm. Also, the nitrate level has to be less than 20 ppm. Besides, the water temperature should be within 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit to keep ghost shrimp happy.
Can baby ghost shrimp eat algae?
But, you need to crumble it down or cut it into smaller pieces before giving it to baby ghost shrimp. In the list of baby ghost shrimp diets, you can include algae, plant debris, brine shrimp, algae wafers, aquatic plants, larvae, pallets, fish flakes, homemade fish food, biofilm, etc.
Can ghost shrimp survive without food?
It depends on the abundance of algae and other plants in the ghost shrimp tank. If the ghost shrimp tank is algae-infested, your pet shrimp may survive up to six months without food. Besides, these crustaceans are pretty hardy in case of starvation. They can survive for a few weeks in starvation if there is no algae or other food in the tank.
Are ghost shrimp hungry?
If your ghost shrimp are hungry, they will not remain grazing peacefully in one place. You’ll find these shrimp swimming constantly. On the other hand, if pet ghost shrimps do not eat within 10 minutes of giving food, they may not be hungry. How Long Can Ghost Shrimp Survive Without Any Food?