Hey there fellow shrimp lovers! If you’re wondering what those cute little aquarium shrimp munch on, you’ve come to the right place. As someone who’s kept various shrimp species for years, I’m excited to share everything you need to know about feeding your aquatic friends properly.
Quick Answer
Aquarium shrimp are omnivores that eat both plant and animal matter. They primarily feed on:
- Algae and biofilm
- Commercial shrimp food (pellets/flakes)
- Blanched vegetables
- Live/frozen foods
- Decaying plant matter
Common Shrimp Species and Their Dietary Needs
1. Neocaridina Shrimp (Cherry Shrimp)
These colorful little guys are probably the most popular aquarium shrimp, and thankfully, they’re super easy to feed! Here’s what they love:
- Main Diet: Biofilm and algae
- Supplementary Foods:
- Shrimp pellets
- Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach)
- Algae wafers
- Leftover fish food
2. Amano Shrimp
Known as the ultimate algae-eating machines, Amano shrimp will happily munch on:
- Green algae
- Biofilm
- Commercial shrimp foods
- Blanched vegetables
- Dead plant matter
3. Ghost Shrimp
These transparent fellows aren’t picky eaters! They’ll consume:
- Detritus and waste
- Fish food leftovers
- Small particles of food
- Commercial shrimp pellets
- Algae
4. Bamboo Shrimp
These guys are special because they’re filter feeders. They need:
- Fine particles suspended in water
- Crushed fish food
- Powdered foods
- Phytoplankton
Best Feeding Practices
How Often Should You Feed?
I’ve found that feeding small amounts 2-3 times per week works best for most shrimp species But here’s the thing – you gotta watch your shrimpies! If they’re constantly foraging and looking hungry, you might wanna feed them a bit more
Feeding Tips
-
Don’t Overfeed!
- Remove uneaten food after 2-3 hours
- Feed only what they can eat in that time
-
Variety is Key
- Mix up their diet
- Rotate between different food types
- Include both plant and animal matter
-
Food Preparation
- Blanch vegetables before feeding
- Crush larger pieces into shrimp-sized bits
- Consider using feeding dishes to keep things tidy
DIY Shrimp Food Ideas
Want to save some money? Try these homemade options:
-
Veggie Mix
- Blanched spinach
- Zucchini slices
- Cucumber pieces
- Carrots (boiled)
-
Protein Boost
- Crushed fish food
- Powdered spirulina
- Dried daphnia
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
-
Inconsistent Feeding Schedule
- Causes stress
- Can affect molting
- Messes with breeding cycles
-
Nutritional Gaps
- Only feeding one type of food
- Forgetting about minerals
- Not providing enough calcium
-
Poor Food Quality
- Using expired foods
- Not removing uneaten portions
- Feeding contaminated vegetables
Special Considerations
Breeding Periods
During breeding, female shrimp need extra nutrition. Consider:
- Higher protein foods
- More frequent feeding
- Calcium-rich supplements
New Tank Setup
In new tanks, you might need to supplement more as there’s less natural biofilm. Try:
- Adding Indian almond leaves
- Using starter bacteria
- Feeding more frequently initially
Signs of Proper/Improper Feeding
Good Signs:
- Active foraging
- Regular molting
- Bright colors
- Successful breeding
Bad Signs:
- Lethargy
- Pale coloration
- Failed molts
- Decreased breeding
Final Thoughts
Feeding aquarium shrimp isn’t rocket science, but it does require some attention and care. Remember, every tank is different, and what works in my setup might need tweaking in yours. The key is observation – watch your shrimpies and they’ll tell you what they need!
Happy shrimp keeping, everyone! If you’ve got any cool shrimp feeding tips, drop ’em in the comments below. We’re always learning in this hobby!
Note: This guide is based on my personal experience and research. Always consult multiple sources and adjust based on your specific situation.
Would you like me to explain anything in more detail? I’m happy to dive deeper into any aspect of shrimp feeding that interests you!
Repashy Gel Food
As tiny scavengers with tiny stomachs, shrimp prefer to constantly graze all throughout the day. That’s why Repashy gel food makes it onto our list. Simply mix the powder with hot water to form a nutritious gel food that stays water stable for up to 24 hours and yet is soft enough for shrimp to easily grab a bite. You can even feed the powder directly into the water column for the baby shrimp to eat, since newborns do not swim around a lot and can’t compete with adults during mealtime. Repashy Soilent Green is high in algae and plant matter, such as spirulina, pea protein, alfalfa leaves, and seaweed. Repashy Community Plus is a good omnivore blend made with krill, alfalfa, squid, and seaweed. Read this article to learn how easy it is to make gel food.
Xtreme Shrimpee Sinking Sticks
While most shrimp foods dissolve quickly into tiny particles to make sure the babies can get a bite, all the excess nutrients floating around in the aquarium can lead to cloudiness and dangerous water quality issues if you’re not careful. If you keep adult shrimp in a community tank and aren’t as focused on breeding for profit, Shrimpee Sinking Sticks might be a better choice for your setup. These 3 mm sticks are made to hold their shape underwater for long periods of time, giving your shrimp plenty of time to graze without their food melting into the cracks between the substrate. This staple shrimp food can be fed every day because it contains quality ingredients, calcium, and high levels of vitamins.
7 Tips for Keeping Shrimp in an Aquarium
FAQ
How to keep shrimp alive in an aquarium?
To keep shrimp alive in an aquarium, maintain stable water conditions, including proper temperature (68-74°F), pH (6.5-7.5), and water hardness. Ensure the tank is fully established with a good filtration system and provide hiding places like plants, driftwood, or rocks.
Do I need to feed shrimp in my fish tank?
With very few exceptions, feeding your shrimps is entirely optional. It’s possible to keep shrimps without ever feeding them if there is just enough biofilm. Actually, it’s the safest way to feed them as little as possible (except certain species like fan shrimp).
What do shrimp need to survive in an aquarium?
- 3 to 10-gallon aquarium.
- Aquarium cover.
- Light suitable for growing live plants.
- Shrimp Filter with intake guard to prevent shrimp from being drawn in.
- Heater and thermometer.
- Fine gravel or live plant substrate.
- Driftwood and/or rockwork.
- Water conditioner.
What do aquarium shrimp eat?
They also enjoy vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, and cucumber, as well as protein-rich foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms. How often should I feed my aquarium shrimp? It is recommended to feed your aquarium shrimp once or twice a day, in small amounts. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and health problems for your shrimp.
What do dwarf shrimp eat?
In reality, dwarf shrimp are last on the food chain, serving as scavengers that eat decaying plants, deceased animals, algae, and biofilm chock-full of microorganisms. Their diet consists of both proteins and vegetable matter, so the key is to provide a wide variety of foods to ensure that they don’t lack in essential nutrients and minerals.
Do shrimp eat fish?
As they grow, shrimp will also eat: Shrimp in a fish aquarium will feed on algae growing in the tank. They will also clear up any leftover bits of fish food. 3.
Do shrimp eat algae?
It is recommended to feed your aquarium shrimp once or twice a day, in small amounts. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and health problems for your shrimp. Do shrimp eat algae in an aquarium? Yes, shrimp can eat algae in an aquarium. However, they will not eat all types of algae, and it should not be the only food source for your shrimp.
What to feed freshwater shrimp?
Others, like bee shrimp and red cherry shrimp, need biofilm or commercial shrimp food to survive. Lightly boiled vegetables are another great food to feed freshwater shrimp. Zucchini, spinach, lettuce, and other greens just need a few minutes of softening in boiling water. After they cool down you can clip them in place inside of your fish tank.
What do young shrimp eat?
Shrimp are mostly scavengers and forages, so they’ll mostly eat anything they can find in the wild. Most of the time, this will consist of algae, decaying plant matter, dead fish and shrimp, detritus, and biofilm.