Hey aquarium lovers! I’ve been keeping ghost shrimp for years, and one of the most common questions I get is whether these tiny transparent cleaners can help with pesky hair algae problems Let me break it down for you with everything I’ve learned from experience
Quick Answer
Yes ghost shrimp do eat hair algae! These little guys love munching on those green stringy strands that grow at the bottom of your tank. However they’re not the most efficient algae eaters out there, and they won’t climb up to eat algae on tank walls or floating at the surface.
What Kind of Algae Do Ghost Shrimp Actually Eat?
In my experience, ghost shrimp are pretty versatile eaters. Here’s what they typically munch on
- Hair Algae – Their favorite! They love those 5-20cm long greenish-brown strands
- Brown Algae – Contains copper that’s good for their reproduction
- String Algae – Easy for them to grab and eat
- White Algae – They’ll happily clean it off rocks and driftwood
- Black Beard Algae – Though not their preferred meal
- Green Algae – As long as it’s within reach at the bottom
The Truth About Ghost Shrimp as Algae Controllers
Let me be honest with you – while ghost shrimp will eat hair algae, they’re not gonna solve your algae problems completely. Here’s why:
- They’re bottom dwellers
- They prefer dead and decaying matter over live algae
- You need multiple shrimp to make a noticeable difference
- They won’t touch algae growing on tank walls or floating at the surface
Making Ghost Shrimp Eat More Algae
Want your ghost shrimp to be more effective algae eaters? Here are some tips I’ve learned:
- Don’t Overfeed – Hungry shrimp are better cleaners
- Create Easy Access – Make sure algae grows where they can reach it
- Proper Population – Keep enough shrimp for your tank size
- Supplement with Algae Wafers – When natural algae is scarce
Better Alternatives for Hair Algae Control
If hair algae is your main concern, here are some better options I’d recommend:
Amano Shrimp
- More efficient algae eaters
- Will eat most types of algae
- More expensive than ghost shrimp
- Can clear algae overnight!
Other Good Options:
- Cherry Shrimp
- Tiger Shrimp
- Crystal Red Shrimp
My Personal Experience
In my tanks, I’ve found that ghost shrimp are decent cleaners but not miracle workers. They’re great as part of a cleaning crew along with other inhabitants. One time, I had a pretty bad hair algae outbreak, and my ghost shrimp helped control it at the bottom of the tank, but I needed to add some Amano shrimp to really get things under control.
Tank Compatibility and Care Tips
Before adding ghost shrimp to your tank, consider:
- Tank Size: Any size works, but bigger is better
- Tank Mates: Avoid aggressive or large fish
- Water Parameters: Keep them stable
- Hiding Places: Provide plenty of plants and decorations
The Bottom Line
While ghost shrimp will eat hair algae, they shouldn’t be your only solution for algae control. They’re best used as part of a broader tank maintenance strategy that includes:
- Regular water changes
- Proper lighting control
- Nutrient management
- Multiple types of cleanup crew
Remember, these little transparent friends are great tank cleaners overall, but they’re more like helpful assistants rather than dedicated algae destroyers. If you’re specifically targeting hair algae, consider adding some Amano shrimp to your cleanup crew!
FAQ
Q: Will ghost shrimp eat algae off glass?
A: Nope, they stick to the bottom of the tank.
Q: How many ghost shrimp do I need for algae control?
A: For a typical 20-gallon tank, I’d recommend 5-10 shrimp.
Q: Do ghost shrimp eat all types of algae?
A: They’ll eat most types but prefer softer varieties like hair and string algae.
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.