As an experienced aquarium keeper, I’ve noticed lots of misconceptions floating around about what shrimp will and won’t eat in our tanks One of the biggest myths I keep hearing is that shrimp are nature’s perfect cleanup crew for dead plant matter. Let me share what I’ve learned from years of keeping these fascinating creatures!
The Quick Answer
Shrimp don’t actually eat dead plants in the way most people think While they may pick at decaying plant matter, they’re mainly after the tiny microorganisms growing on it rather than the plant tissue itself.
What Shrimp Actually Eat
From my observations and research here’s what shrimp really love to munch on
- Biofilm and algae
- Microorganisms
- Commercial shrimp foods
- Blanched vegetables like:
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
- Baby spinach (which my shrimp devour in just 3-4 hours!)
The Dead Plant Myth: Why People Get Confused
Ya know what’s funny? People often think their shrimp are eating dead plants because they see them picking at deceased leaves. But here’s what’s really happening:
- Shrimp lack the digestive enzymes to break down tough plant fibers
- They’re actually eating tiny organisms growing on the decaying matter
- Any plant material they appear to consume is usually just exploratory behavior
Why You Shouldn’t Leave Dead Plants for Your Shrimp
Listen up! Leaving dead plants in your tank thinking your shrimp will clean them up is a bad idea. Here’s why:
- Creates dangerous ammonia spikes
- Promotes harmful bacteria growth
- Can make your water cloudy and smelly
- Stresses out your tank inhabitants
- Takes up valuable oxygen as it decomposes
Better Ways to Handle Dead Plant Matter
Instead of relying on shrimp, here’s what I recommend:
- Remove dead leaves manually with tongs or tweezers
- Do regular gravel vacuuming
- Install pre-filter screens on intakes
- Increase water change frequency
- Use activated carbon or Purigen
- Trim plants regularly
Feeding Your Shrimp Properly
Since we now know shrimp won’t eat dead plants, here’s what you should feed them:
- High-quality shrimp pellets
- Algae wafers
- Blanched veggies (my shrimp go crazy for these!)
- Natural foods like:
- Cholla wood
- Alder cones
- Mineral rocks
When to Add Shrimp to Your Tank
If you’re starting a new tank with aquasoil, wait until:
- Ammonia reads 0 for a full week
- Nitrites are also at 0
- Usually takes 4-8 weeks with aquasoil
Common Tank Problems That Look Like Feeding Issues
Sometimes what looks like a dead plant problem might actually be:
- Poor lighting
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Plant melt from new additions
- Bad circulation
- Aggressive algae growth
- Overcrowding
The Bottom Line
Look, I get it – we all want our shrimp to be the perfect cleanup crew. But the truth is, they’re not garbage disposals for dead plants. Focus on proper tank maintenance, feed them appropriate foods, and remove dead plant matter yourself. Your shrimp (and your tank) will thank you!
Remember: A healthy tank is a happy tank. Don’t rely on shrimp to do the heavy lifting when it comes to dead plant removal. Take charge of your maintenance routine and your aquatic friends will thrive!
Would you like me to explain any part of this in more detail? I’d love to share more specific experiences from my years of shrimp keeping!
Ghost Shrimp Molting Process
Ghost Shrimp are often kept in groups. It’s difficult to say how often Ghost Shrimp molt because its hard to figure out which of the group has lost its shell. Most commonly a hobbyist will wake up one morning, check out the tank and see a couple of clear white empty shells on the bottom. As long as they shrimp are there, all is good. The important thing to know is that Ghost Shrimp molt as they eat and grow. So as long they are actively feeding and moving about, it’s normal for them to molt often. Molting just means they are healthy and growing larger.
When Ghost Shrimp molt they are very vulnerable until they get acclimated in their new shell. That’s why its important to keep them in a tank with lots of small hiding places. Live aquarium plants are good for this purpose.
After molting occurs, leave the empty shed shell in the tank for a few days. Other shrimp may take turns feeding off it. Re-ingesting the minerals in the old shell helps set up their next molting cycle.
Ghost Shrimp Habitat & Water Parameters
Ghost Shrimp seem to enjoy establish planted aquariums with a moderate current of continuously moving water. An appropriately sized HOB power filter should do the trick and keep the water circulating properly. Additionally, an air pump with a fine air stone will create a wall of tiny bubbles to help keep water moving as well. With the bubbles, it’s fun to watch the shrimp get drawn up into the current and have to move their hind legs ferociously to swim out of it. Ghost Shrimp are great swimmers.
8 SHOCKING Reasons Why Your Shrimp Are Dying!
FAQ
Will shrimp destroy plants?
They’re scavengers. It’s far more likely that something else is damaging the plants (nutrient deficiency or fish/snails) and the shrimps are just cleaning up. Like… I went away for 16 days without feeding my shrimp and they still didn’t go after my plants.
How to stop shrimp from eating plants?
The only way to completely stop plant-eating fish from eating the plant life is to separate them. If you enjoy allowing the fish to eat some live plants, then put plants you don’t care about in the fish tank, rather than plants you use as décor.
What plants will shrimp eat?
Ludwigia Repens. Ludwigia repens is a fast-growing freshwater plant that provides an ideal hiding place and a natural food source for Neocaridina shrimp. It can grow in various lighting conditions and is tolerant of different water parameters.
Do shrimp eat plants?
Shrimp will do better with plants in your aquarium. Greenery adds additional properties to your tank that fake plants are unable to provide. For instance, some plants will create nice Algae growth in your tank or shed leaves frequently. The ideal aquarium plants for shrimp provide shelter, clean water, and food.
Do shrimp eat dead shrimp?
Shrimp are simple creatures with simple needs, once their needs are met they will thrive. Freshwater aquarium shrimp are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of anything they can in your aquarium. When you see your shrimp swarmed around a dead shrimp, yes they are eating it. They are feeding on its shell to ingest its rich mineral makeup.
What do shrimp eat in a fish tank?
As larvae, shrimp don’t have much of a choice about where they are carried with the water current. So they eat whatever is floating along with them, which is usually plankton (microscopic plants and animals). As they grow, shrimp will also eat: Shrimp in a fish aquarium will feed on algae growing in the tank.
Can shrimp eat decomposed shrimp?
While it technically isn’t harmful to let your shrimp eat the decomposed shrimp, be careful not to leave it in the tank for too long. If you do, it could lead to an ammonia spike and kill all your other shrimp. Therefore, you should under no circumstances leave the dead shrimp in the tank for a long period.
What do shrimp eat?
A lot. Shrimps are scavengers and spend most of their time in the wild eating anything that’s fallen down to the bottom of the water bed. They are opportunistic omnivores, which means they will eat both plants and animals, dead or alive. As larvae, shrimp don’t have much of a choice about where they are carried with the water current.
Can shrimp eat leaves?
In the wild, a lot of leaves will fall in the streams and waterbodies shrimp live in. Leave litter gives off beneficial properties to the water and the shrimp and other wildlife benefits from them, and can feed off them. There are a lot of options you can use to get this in your tank. You might be wondering: what can I feed my shrimp?