Hey there, fellow aquarium enthusiasts! I’ve been keeping cherry shrimp for over 5 years now, and lemme tell you – these little red buddies are some of the easiest pets to feed But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know what’s best for them! Today at The Shrimp Guide, we’re gonna dive deep into everything about cherry shrimp diet
Quick Answer
Cherry shrimp are omnivorous scavengers that eat
- Algae (their main natural food)
- Biofilm
- Commercial shrimp food
- Blanched vegetables
- Small protein sources
The Complete Diet Guide for Cherry Shrimp
1. Natural Foods They Love
Algae – Their Favorite Buffet
Cherry shrimp absolutely love munching on different types of algae. In my experience they’ll happily eat
- Brown algae
- Green algae
- Black beard algae
- Hair algae (but only when it’s young)
But here’s something interesting – they won’t touch these types:
- Green spot algae
- Green dust algae
- Green water algae
- Staghorn algae
- Blue-green algae
Biofilm – The Hidden Feast
This is super important! Biofilm grows naturally in your tank and is like a microorganism buffet for your shrimp. It’s actually one of their staple foods in the wild. The cool thing is – you don’t gotta do anything special. Just keep your tank lights on for 6-8 hours daily, and biofilm will grow by itself!
2. Commercial Foods
Listen up! While natural foods are great, your shrimp need more nutrients to really thrive. Here’s what I recommend:
- Algae wafers: Perfect base food
- Shrimp pellets: Get copper-free ones!
- Fish food pellets: Small ones work great
- Specialized shrimp foods: Like Hikari Crab Cuisine
3. Fresh Foods They Can’t Resist
I’ve tried lots of different fresh foods with my shrimp, and these are their favorites:
Vegetables (always blanch them first!)
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Carrots
- Kale
- Lettuce
Protein Sources
- Bloodworms (occasional treat)
- Brine shrimp
- Lobster/crab bits
Feeding Schedule That Works
Here’s my tried-and-true feeding schedule:
| Day | Food Type |
|---|---|
| Monday | Shrimp pellets |
| Wednesday | Algae wafers |
| Friday | Blanched veggies |
| Sunday | Protein treat |
Pro tip: Don’t feed them every day! These little guys are great scavengers and will find food in your tank between feedings.
Special Feeding Cases
Baby Cherry Shrimp
Got shrimplets? They’re super tiny and need special care:
- First 2 months: They mainly eat biofilm and algae
- Can also give: Powdered spirulina algae
- Try: Anacharis plant leaves for extra nutrients
Breeding Shrimp
If you’re breeding them (which is super fun btw!), they might need extra protein. I usually add a bit more protein-rich food during breeding times.
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfeeding: This is the #1 mistake! Remember, less is more with cherry shrimp.
- Not removing uneaten food: Take it out after 2-3 hours.
- Using copper-containing foods: This can be deadly for shrimp!
- Forgetting variety: They need different nutrients.
FAQs About Cherry Shrimp Food
Q: How long can cherry shrimp go without food?
A: In a well-aged tank, they can go more than a week! But in a new tank, only a few days.
Q: Do they eat fish poop?
A: Nope! This is a common myth. They might pick through it for leftover food bits, but they don’t eat the poop itself.
Q: Can they eat regular fish food?
A: Yes, but make sure it’s copper-free and small enough for them to eat.
Final Thoughts
Feeding cherry shrimp isn’t rocket science, but getting it right makes a huge difference in their health and color. I’ve seen my shrimp get much redder and more active when I started following this feeding guide.
Remember – these little guys are pretty low-maintenance, but they still need proper nutrition to thrive. Start with the basics and adjust based on how your shrimp respond. And don’t forget – a hungry shrimp is a better cleaner for your tank!
Got any questions about feeding your cherry shrimp? Drop them in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your experiences too.
Happy shrimp keeping!
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Commercial Shrimp Food Options for a Balanced Diet
There is a variety of high-quality shrimp food available on the market, specifically designed for freshwater aquarium shrimp like cherry shrimp and other neocaridina shrimp species. These foods provide essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals that support cherry shrimp growth and reproduction. When selecting a commercial shrimp food, look for options that cater to the unique dietary needs of cherry shrimp and other aquarium shrimp. Its essential to choose a shrimp food thats tailored to the specific nutritional requirements of your cherry shrimp population.
Feeding Frequency: How Often to Feed Your Aquarium Shrimp
As natural scavengers, cherry shrimp and other freshwater aquarium shrimp do not require constant feeding. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and negatively impact the health of your shrimp freshwater community. It is generally recommended to feed your cherry shrimp once per day, providing only enough food that they can consume within 2-3 hours. Monitor their feeding habits and adjust the amount as necessary to prevent overfeeding.