Hey there! If you’re reading this, I bet you’ve got that pesky brown algae problem in your aquarium. Well, you’re not alone! As an aquarium enthusiast who’s dealt with this issue countless times I’m here to share everything you need to know about using shrimp as your natural cleaning crew.
Quick Answer Yes, many aquarium shrimp species do eat brown algae (diatoms), but their effectiveness varies by species Amano shrimp are the champions, while Cherry shrimp and others will nibble on it when hungry
Understanding Brown Algae in Your Tank
Before we dive deeper, let’s get something straight – that brown stuff coating your tank isn’t actually algae! Scientifically speaking, it’s diatoms, but we aquarists commonly call it brown algae These microscopic organisms love
- New tank setups
- Excess silicates
- High phosphate levels
- Poor lighting conditions
- Excess nitrates
Best Shrimp Species for Brown Algae Control
1. Amano Shrimp (The Champions)
These guys are the undisputed kings of algae eating! Here’s why we love them:
- Can clear large areas quickly
- Work tirelessly all day
- Eat almost all types of algae
- Need about 5 shrimp for tanks under 20 gallons
- Need 10+ for larger setups
2. Cherry Shrimp (The Helpful Rookies)
While not as efficient as Amanos, they still help:
- Will eat brown algae when hungry
- Breed quickly to create a larger cleaning crew
- Great for smaller tanks
- Need at least 10 to start seeing results
- Can survive in large colonies
3. Ghost Shrimp (The Opportunists)
- Will eat some brown algae
- Better at eating other debris
- More of a general scavenger
- Need supplemental feeding
Making Your Shrimp Eat More Brown Algae
Here’s a pro tip I’ve learned through experience – if you want your shrimp to focus on brown algae, try these tricks:
- Reduce regular feeding
- Wait until they get hungry
- Don’t overfeed when you do feed them
- Give them time to work
Prevention is Better Than Cure
While shrimp are awesome helpers, they’re not miracle workers. Here’s what I do to prevent brown algae from taking over:
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Lighting Control
- Keep lights on 6-8 hours daily
- Use timer for consistency
- Avoid direct sunlight
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Water Parameters
- Regular water changes (20% weekly)
- Test phosphate levels
- Monitor silicate levels
- Keep nitrates in check
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Tank Maintenance
- Clean filter regularly
- Remove debris promptly
- Vacuum substrate monthly
- Wipe glass surfaces
Feeding Your Clean-up Crew
Even algae-eating shrimp need a balanced diet! Here’s what I feed mine:
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Daily Foods:
- Algae wafers
- Shrimp pellets
- Blanched vegetables
-
Weekly Treats:
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Cucumber slices
- Indian almond leaves
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying solely on shrimp for algae control
- Not addressing underlying causes
- Overfeeding your shrimp
- Not providing enough hiding places
- Adding too few shrimp
When Shrimp Aren’t Enough
Sometimes you need extra help. Here are some buddy cleaners I use alongside shrimp:
- Nerite snails
- Otocinclus catfish
- Siamese algae eaters
- Malaysian trumpet snails
Final Thoughts
While shrimp do eat brown algae, they’re just one part of the solution. I’ve found that combining different approaches works best:
- Use a mix of cleaning crew species
- Maintain good tank conditions
- Control lighting and nutrients
- Regular maintenance
- Patience (lots of it!)
Remember, there’s no magic fix for brown algae, but with these little guys helping out and proper tank maintenance, you’ll get there! If you’ve got any questions about your specific situation, drop them in the comments below. I’d love to help ya out!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our other articles about aquarium maintenance and shrimp care. We’re always adding new content to help fellow aquarium enthusiasts!
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.
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.
Do Red Cherry Shrimp Eat Algae? (Black Beard, Hair, Green, Staghorn, Brown Diatom Algae)
FAQ
Is brown algae good for shrimp?
Although considered an eye-sore, brown algae (or Diatoms) are completely harmless when it comes to the health of your fish, shrimp, and snails. Some of these species may even feed on it as a snack! However, Diatoms can be a threat to plants if they’re left unchecked.
What is the quickest way to get rid of brown algae?
Best way to get rid of brown algae in aquariums, with suggestions including liquid carbon, increasing water flow, introducing algae-eating fish or snails, and using a UV sterilizer Liquid carbon works best against red algae or, in other words, black algae.
Can shrimp eat algae?
Nonetheless, despite their amazing abilities, you have to understand that shrimp/fish keeping hobby also has some rules, and if you do not follow them nothing will help you. Shrimp, snails or fish are more like a rescue team. They can eat algae but cannot fix the cause of algae problems in your aquarium.
Who can eat brown algae?
Who can eat Brown/Diatomic algae: Otocinclus fish are the best for this job. Next, Nerite Snails. Amano shrimp can also eat brown algae. However, they will not be able to clean the glass in your tank. They simply do not have the necessary tools for that. It is really hard for shrimp to clean spots. Related article: 4.
Can shrimp eat blue-green algae?
While some species of blue-green algae can be toxic, many species are a common food source for shrimp. Red Algae: Red algae, also known as Rhodophyta, are a type of algae that are often found in saltwater environments. While they are less common in shrimp tanks, some species of red algae can be a nutritious food source for shrimp.
Do ghost shrimp eat algae?
Ghost shrimp love to eat hair algae; they also love to scavenge for old fish food and even eat dead shrimp and fish. The good thing about ghost shrimp is that they are not picky eaters, and they will eat just about any algae, including brush algae, and other algae-eating fish leave this type untouched.
Which shrimp eat algae in a community tank?
If you are looking for shrimp to help eat algae in a community tank, I would consider Amano shrimp, Ghost shrimp, Cherry shrimp, and Malawi shrimp as an option. Crystal red shrimp and Sulawesi shrimp are also good at eating algae but are better suited to keep in a species-only aquarium.
Can shrimp eat green spot algae?
A harder type like green spot algae is much more difficult for them to eat. They can’t easily scrape it off the hardscape or glass walls. Snails in your tank might be able to get at the harder algae, though. Most shrimp will struggle to get hard algae off the glass walls of your aquarium.