Hey fellow fish keepers! I’ve kept aquariums for over 10 years now and one question keeps popping up do shrimp actually clean fish tanks? Let me break down everything I’ve learned about these little cleaners.
Quick Answer Yes, shrimp do clean fish tanks by eating algae, leftover food, and debris. However, they’re not miracle workers – you’ll still need to do regular tank maintenance Think of them as helpful assistants rather than full-time janitors
How Do Shrimp Clean Your Tank?
These little guys help keep your tank clean in several ways:
- Algae Control: They munch on various types of algae growing on surfaces
- Leftover Food: They scavenge uneaten fish food before it can rot
- Dead Plant Matter: They’ll clean up fallen leaves and dead plant bits
- Surface Cleaning: They scrape biofilm off decorations and glass
- Substrate Turnover: Their foraging helps prevent waste buildup in gravel
Best Shrimp Species for Tank Cleaning
Not all shrimp are created equal when it comes to cleaning. Here are the top performers:
1. Amano Shrimp
- Best overall tank cleaner
- Excellent at eating most types of algae
- Larger size means they can handle more waste
- Very hardy and active
2. Ghost Shrimp
- Great scavengers for leftover food
- Transparent body makes them less visible
- Budget-friendly option
- Good for community tanks
3. Cherry Shrimp
- Perfect for smaller tanks
- Reproduce quickly = more cleaners
- Great at eating soft algae
- Add nice color to your tank
Tips to Make Your Shrimp Better Cleaners
Want your shrimp to be cleaning machines? Try these tips:
-
Don’t Overfeed
- Hungry shrimp clean more
- Feed shrimp separately from fish
- Less food waste = cleaner tank
-
Provide Cover
- Add plenty of plants and hiding spots
- Secure shrimp clean more efficiently
- Helps avoid predation
-
Right Numbers
- 5-10 shrimp per 10 gallons minimum
- More shrimp = better cleaning
- Don’t overstock though!
What Shrimp Won’t Clean
Let’s be real – shrimp aren’t perfect. Here’s what they CAN’T do:
- Remove tough black beard algae
- Clean heavy waste buildups
- Replace water changes
- Clean filter media
- Remove chemical pollutants
Setting Up for Success
For best results with cleaning shrimp:
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 65-75°F
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrites: 0 ppm
- Nitrates: <20 ppm
Tank Setup:
- Lots of plants
- Fine substrate
- Good filtration
- Peaceful tankmates
My Personal Experience
I’ve kept shrimp in my tanks for years, and honestly, they’re awesome helpers but not miracle workers. In my 30-gallon community tank, a crew of 20 cherry shrimp keeps things looking tidy between water changes. But I still gotta do my weekly maintenance!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t fall into these traps:
- Relying only on shrimp for cleaning
- Adding them to an uncycled tank
- Keeping them with aggressive fish
- Not providing enough hiding spots
- Overfeeding the tank
Final Thoughts
Shrimp are amazing little cleaners that can help maintain your tank, but they’re just one part of the equation. Use them alongside regular maintenance, proper filtration, and maybe some other cleanup crew members like snails.
Remember: A clean tank is a happy tank, and shrimp can definitely help you get there – just don’t expect them to do all the work!
Pro Tip: Start with a small group of hardy ghost shrimp to test your tank conditions before investing in more expensive species like Amanos or Cherry shrimp.
Would you like me to explain any of these points in more detail? Drop a comment below!
Happy Shrimp Keeping!
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Cleaner Shrimp – Hard Working Crustaceans
By Jessie M Sanders, DVM, CertAqV
Planning and developing your tank environment by taking all biome contributors into consideration will make the healthiest home for your new pets, and the best home aquarium systems flourish through diversity.
One of the most overlooked components of healthy and diverse fish tanks are crustaceans; specifically, those in the cleaner shrimp family. Even though they may look like little space aliens, cleaner shrimp are a natural fit for many aquatic biomes; beneficial for both the inhabitants of the tank and for the human who has to clean the tank.
As their name suggests, cleaner shrimp clean their environment. They are hard-working crustaceans. But while that is an impressive trait by itself, that is not all they are known for. Even as they are picking debris and algae off the rocks, did you know that some types of cleaner shrimp will clean your fish as well?
Fortunately, it isn’t an altogether thankless job. In return for removing parasites and algae from your fish, the shrimp are rewarded with a tasty meal: yummy parasites that are packed with nutrition.
Related
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Starting off the saltwater group is our true cleaner shrimp, the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). Although they don’t smell like skunks, they have the same distinctive white line along their body. These dainty shrimp can grow rapidly when first introduced to a new saltwater tank. You will see the discarded “molts,” or old exoskeletons, that allow crustaceans to grow into their larger skeletons.
These shrimp will clean fish of ectoparasites and may even set up designated “cleaning stations,” a sort of car wash for fish, where fish will go specifically to be cleaned. Keep in mind, however, that some fish species like to eat crunchy crustaceans, so you’ll want to identify and keep those fish in a separate tank. : timss / Shutterstock
The Banded Cleaner, or Coral, Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) is easy to spot as it waves its long white antennae at the fish swimming by. This shrimp is most noted for its long, banded third pair of arms. It has been observed that this type of shrimp can actually recognize different shrimp individuals and distinguish between them. Due to this ability, it is recommended that you keep only one Coral Shrimp, or a mated pair. : AquariusPhotography / Shutterstock
Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni), also known as the Veined or Caribbean Cleaner Shrimp, is not a true cleaner shrimp. Rather than pick the parasites off fish, they would rather eat detritus or other convenient organic material floating around your tank. They have a reputation for managing the growth of unwelcome Aiptasia, common anemones that grow like weeds in some reef tanks, but this is not always the case; some will, while others do not.
Although they may not be the best choice for parasite control, they are very peaceful and are still good additions to any reef system. These shrimp have been captively bred and are relatively easy to find. : Nicholas Toh / Shutterstock
Top 2 Shrimp for Freshwater Tank Cleaning Put to the Test!
FAQ
Are shrimp beneficial to an aquarium?
Are shrimp or snails better tank cleaners?
I have shrimp and snails in my community tank & it’s been great. they’re better cleaners than shrimp and the population only goes nuts if you over feed. just feel shrimp specific food and the shrimp will get to it before the snails do.
What fish cleans the tank the best?
- Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus oblongus) …
- Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus spp.) …
- Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus spp.) …
- Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) …
- Siamese Flying Fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) …
- Twig Catfish (Farlowella spp.)
Do shrimp clean aquarium glass?
As a prominent scavenger, the shrimp will clear up any uneaten food as well as keeping algae levels down. Their cleaning prowess will keep the tank looking clean. They do this throughout the day and are always active and busy. They are great pickers, their food range is broad as they will eat almost anything.
What kind of shrimp can be kept in an aquarium?
Aquarium shrimps are well-liked by aquarists because of their appealing look and capacity to keep tanks clean. Shrimp of many types, such as the Amano shrimp, Ghost shrimp, Cherry shrimp, and Bamboo shrimp, are frequently kept in aquariums. Every species approaches tank cleaning in a different way.
Do Amano shrimp clean fish tanks?
Amano shrimp are famous for cleaning fish tanks because they are efficient scavengers that consume algae, leftover fish food, and other organic waste. These small, translucent crustaceans are peaceful and can coexist with other tank inhabitants. They are also low-maintenance, requiring minimal care and attention.
Do ghost shrimp eat algae?
Every species approaches tank cleaning in a different way. Amano shrimp, for example, are known for their efficient algae-eating abilities, making them an excellent choice for planted aquariums. Ghost shrimp, on the other hand, are scavengers that consume leftover fish food and debris at the bottom of the tank.
What fish clean a tank?
Several species of fishes that clean the tank, but the most common “aquarium cleaning fish name” is Plecostomus (aquarium tank cleaner fish name often called Plecos), Otocinclus catfish, and Corydoras catfish. What is the best fish for tank cleaning?
Which fish can be kept in a community tank?
They are peaceful and friendly fish that can be kept in community tanks with other non-aggressive fish. With their distinct appearance and helpful cleaning habits, Corydoras Catfish are a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts looking to maintain a clean and healthy tank. 4. Amano Shrimp
What is a cleaning fish?
By eating algae, leftover food, and other detritus that might collect in the tank, these fish, sometimes referred to as “cleaning fish,” help to maintain a healthy aquarium environment. They can also decrease the need for frequent water changes and aid in preventing the development of hazardous microorganisms.