Hey there! I’m a passionate aquarium enthusiast, and today I’m gonna share everything you need to know about feeding ghost shrimp. These fascinating little creatures have been part of my aquarium family for years, and I’ve learned quite a bit about their eating habits
Quick Answer
Ghost shrimp eat almost anything! They’re like the vacuum cleaners of your aquarium, munching on:
- Leftover fish food
- Dead plant matter
- Algae
- Small food particles
- Commercial shrimp food
Detailed Feeding Guide
Natural Diet in the Wild
In their natural habitat ghost shrimp do what they do best – they’re scavengers. They spend their time searching for
- Decaying plant material
- Tiny organisms
- Algae growth
- Small particles of organic matter
- Biofilm
What to Feed in Your Aquarium
Main Diet Options
-
Commercial Foods
- Sinking pellets
- Algae wafers
- Shrimp-specific food
- Fish flakes (crushed)
-
Fresh Foods
- Blanched vegetables
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Lettuce
-
Protein Sources
- Bloodworms
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Small insects
Feeding Schedule
Here’s what works best in my experience:
| Time of Day | Food Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Commercial pellets | Tiny pinch |
| Evening | Fresh veggies | Small piece |
| 2-3x week | Protein treats | Few pieces |
Tips for Feeding Ghost Shrimp
-
Don’t Overfeed
- Ghost shrimp don’t need much food
- Remove uneaten food after 2-3 hours
- Feed small amounts frequently
-
Watch Their Behavior
- Active scavenging = hungry
- Hiding = might be stressed
- Clear belly = needs food
-
Food Placement
- Drop food near their hiding spots
- Use feeding dishes to keep tank clean
- Spread food around to prevent fighting
Common Feeding Mistakes
What NOT to Do
- Overfeeding (biggest mistake!)
- Using only one type of food
- Forgetting to remove uneaten food
- Feeding only once a day
Special Considerations
Pregnant Ghost Shrimp
When your ghost shrimp is carrying eggs, she does need extra nutrition:
- More protein-rich foods
- More frequent small meals
- Higher quality commercial foods
Baby Ghost Shrimp
For the tiny ones:
- Crushed food particles
- Infusoria
- Liquid fry food
- Powdered foods
Health Signs Related to Diet
Your ghost shrimp is eating well if:
- Body is transparent
- Active movement
- Regular molting
- Clear digestive tract
Troubleshooting
If your ghost shrimp isn’t eating:
- Check water parameters
- Look for signs of stress
- Try different foods
- Ensure proper temperature
My Personal Experience
In my years of keeping ghost shrimp, I’ve found they do best with variety. Sometimes they’re picky eaters – one day they’ll go crazy for zucchini, the next day they want nothing but algae wafers! It’s kinda funny watching their preferences change.
Final Thoughts
Feeding ghost shrimp isn’t rocket science, but it does require attention and care. These little guys are super adaptable and will usually let you know when something’s not right with their diet.
Remember, every tank is different, so you might need to adjust these guidelines to fit your specific situation. Don’t be afraid to experiment (within reason) to find what works best for your transparent friends!
Have you got any ghost shrimp stories to share? What do your ghost shrimp love to eat? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your experiences!
P.S. Don’t forget to monitor your water quality regularly – happy ghost shrimp mean a healthy tank!
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.
Ghost Shrimp Food, Size & Color Range
Ghost Shrimp food is broad as they will eat almost anything. They are great pickers and will eat like machines. Ghost Shrimp food can include some forms of algae, dead plant latter and detritus. These shrimp love fish or shrimp pellets, fish flakes, algae wafers or bits otherwise uneaten food. And its a good idea to find food supplements with Calcium, as Calcium is necessary for healthy shell growth. Ghost Shrimp food may also include their fallen tank mates, as they will even feed off dead fish or dead shrimp. Of course, it’s important to take dead inhabitants out of the water quickly otherwise there can be an ammonia spike in the tank. It’s fun to watch Ghost Shrimp swim up and pluck bits of food out of the water. And there is a pecking order with feeding as well. Bigger shrimp eat first.
Ghost Shrimp Info And Care | Ghost Shrimp Care Guide!
FAQ
What do ghost shrimp eat?
Ghost shrimp are omnivorous scavengers, meaning they’ll eat just about anything they can find in an aquarium. Their diet includes algae, leftover fish food, decaying plant matter, and even small invertebrates.
How often should ghost shrimp eat?
Ghost shrimp are excellent scavengers in a freshwater aquarium with fish. They glean food left by the fish, and no additional feeding is required. If you keep them alone in a tank, give them a small amount of fish food daily.
Will ghost shrimp eat a dead fish?
Shrimps will eat anything, even cannibalism isn’t off the table if one died.
How many ghost shrimp should be kept together?