What do aquarium shrimp eat?
When observing freshwater aquarium shrimp of the genera Caridina and Neocaridina, you’ll notice they’re almost constantly feeding. Whether they’re perched on a leaf, root, or the substrate, they’re always nibbling at something. But what exactly are they eating so eagerly? Let’s take a closer look at what aquarium shrimp eat.
What do freshwater shrimp eat in nature?
It’s a common belief that the main food source for Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp two of the most popular genera among aquarists is algae. However, this is a clear oversimplification. In reality, dwarf shrimp primarily feed on biofilm, a complex biological membrane composed of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, all surrounded by layers of organic and inorganic substances produced by them. Biofilm forms on surfaces such as substrates, plants, stones, and roots. Dwarf shrimp also readily consume detritus decomposing organic matter along with the microorganisms living on it. They happily feed on carrion, fallen leaves, and fruit that ends up in the water. As you can see, they are not particularly picky and are considered opportunistic omnivores, making them relatively easy to feed in an aquarium.
Filter-feeding shrimp, on the other hand, extract suspended particles from the water. These particles are composed of organic matter, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. Everything floating in the water sticks to specialized fan-like structures located on the first two pairs of their walking legs organs specifically adapted for filter feeding.
Shrimp of the genus Macrobrachium, which are relatively rare in aquariums, are active hunters and scavengers. As such, their diet consists primarily of animal-based foods.
What to feed shrimp in an aquarium
Now that you know that Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp are omnivores with hearty appetites, it’s clear they will eat almost anything you offer or whatever they find in the aquarium. Still, it’s important to remember that biofilm and detritus are essential food sources for them. In a freshly set-up tank, these are typically absent. This, combined with unstable water parameters, is often the reason shrimp fail to thrive or even die in newly established aquariums. For this reason, when setting up a new tank, it’s crucial to wait patiently for the system to mature and for biofilm and algae to develop. These small crustaceans will quickly thrive in a stable aquarium with something to nibble on in every corner.
Of course, the natural food found in the aquarium alone is not enough to meet all their nutritional needs especially when shrimp populations are large. Supplement their diet with commercial shrimp food as well as fresh vegetables and herbs.
Shrimp food – how to choose?
Good commercial food for aquarium shrimp should be:
- highly water-stable,
- highly digestible,
- and able to retain its shape in water.
Hydrostable food retains its structure in water for a long time without disintegrating, while the nutrients it contains leach into the water only to a moderate extent. As a result, food with these characteristics does not pollute the water or the aquarium substrate.
Food particles that fall into the substrate, especially gravel or active substrate, are inaccessible to shrimp. They can also contribute to a deterioration in the water’s chemical parameters. If you already keep shrimp, you’ve surely noticed an increase in their activity during tank cleaning. Even slight disturbance of the substrate releases a considerable amount of organic matter into the water, and your shrimp will quickly try to snatch up these tasty morsels.
To some extent, you can prevent the substrate from becoming quickly contaminated with food by using a glass feeding dish in the aquarium and choosing high-quality foods. A great choice is the Tropical Shrimp-UP! line of shrimp foods. These foods come in the form of sinking blocks measuring 5 × 5 × 2 mm and are characterized by excellent digestibility and high hydrostability.
Tropical Shrimp-UP! – a higher level of shrimp nutrition
This modern product line includes six foods that together form a complete nutritional program for shrimp. They can be freely combined to achieve your desired goal.
Functional foods:
- Tropical Shrimp-UP! Breeding & Colour
- Tropical Shrimp-UP! Growth & Immunity
- Tropical Shrimp-UP! Minerals & Molting
Superfoods:
- Tropical Shrimp-UP! Algae & Phytobiotics
- Tropical Shrimp-UP! Herbs & Vegetables
- Tropical Shrimp-UP! Leaves & Flowers
All foods support the molting process by providing minerals, DHA and EPA fatty acids, as well as cholesterol and phospholipids.
Tropical Shrimp-UP! functional foods – for every need
These are complete foods that provide shrimp with all the necessary nutrients. The protein base in these foods consists of insects (hermetia, mealworms, and silkworms), squid, and krill. Each can serve as a standalone food for daily feeding, while also providing enhanced specific benefits. Depending on your needs, you can therefore choose a food that enhances coloration and supports breeding, one that supports immunity and growth, or one that aids molting and shell mineralization. Of course, you’ll achieve the best breeding results by using these foods interchangeably.
These functional foods are distinguished by proprietary formulas developed based on the expertise of Tropical’s specialists and the latest scientific knowledge regarding shrimp nutrition.
Shrimp-UP! Breeding & Colour
The Shrimp-UP! Breeding & Colour food features Tropical’s Colour Booster formula, which utilizes natural carotenoids from various sources that are easily accessible to shrimp. Using diverse carotenoid sources ensures that shrimp develop vibrant colors, regardless of their current coloration. Furthermore, carotenoids significantly influence crustacean reproduction and immunity. Another notable feature of this food is the addition of Schizochytrium algae. These marine microalgae are an excellent source of EPA and DHA fatty acids, which are essential for egg production and embryo development and help increase the survival rate of juvenile shrimp.
Shrimp-UP! Growth & Immunity
The Shrimp-UP! Growth & Immunity food is distinguished by Tropical’s Immunity Booster formula, which utilizes algae, beta-glucan, and prebiotics, including GOS, to stimulate the crustaceans’ immune system. Innovative production technology protects the formula’s sensitive active ingredients, releasing them only in the crustaceans’ intestines. Particularly noteworthy is the high level of various prebiotics, which serve as a nutrient source for gut bacteria. As a result, shrimp grow better and have greater resistance to pathogens.
Shrimp-UP! Minerals & Molting
The Tropical’s Molting Booster formula used in Shrimp-UP! Minerals & Molting utilizes a unique combination of calcium, phospholipids, betaine, and DHA and EPA fatty acids. These support shrimp during key growth phases by facilitating the production of hormones responsible for molting, tissue development, and the mineralization of the new exoskeleton. The food also stands out for its use of various calcium sources, including Lithothamnium calcareum algae, which are rich in organic calcium. Thanks to this approach, shrimp have a constant supply of calcium, which is released at varying rates from the ingredients used. It is also worth noting the calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio and the calcium-to-magnesium (Ca:M) ratio, both of which are appropriate for shrimp. These ratios are very rarely taken into account and balanced in shrimp feeds, even though they are crucial for proper mineral metabolism in shrimp.
Superfoods – flavors shrimp love
These are three incredibly interesting options in which plant-based ingredients that shrimp love take center stage. You don’t have to wonder whether to feed your shrimp pumpkin, algae, or beets, you’ll find delicious blends based on algae, herbs, vegetables, leaves, and flowers in the Superfoods line.
Shrimp-UP! Algae & Phytobiotics contains as much as 37% various algae and phytobiotics – active plant substances derived from turmeric and ashwagandha. Herbs (nettle, dandelion, and moringa) and vegetables (spinach, green peas, beets, and pumpkin) are the main ingredients in Shrimp-UP! Herbs & Vegetables. These plants are very popular with shrimp and are also rich in prebiotics that support the shrimp’s gut microbiota. Meanwhile, a blend of leaves (mulberry, walnut, and ketapang) and flowers with added bee pollen makes up Shrimp-UP! Leaves & Flowers.
In summary, Superfoods are supplementary foods to be used alongside Functional Foods. Each of these foods contains a different set of plant-based ingredients that shrimp eagerly consume. The protein base here consists of insects, squid, krill, and New Zealand mussels. In addition, these foods:
- enhance coloration,
- support molting,
- and promote growth and maturation.
Natural food for shrimp
The more varied a shrimp’s diet is, the better. That’s why, in addition to Shrimp-UP! ready-to-feed products, you can also feed your shrimp fresh foods such as: cucumber, zucchini, red pepper, pumpkin, and lettuce. Some vegetables, like cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots, should be lightly boiled; others, like kale, can be blanched. Greens such as spinach, dandelion, nettle, parsley, and dill can be offered fresh, dried, or frozen. Always serve small portions so the shrimp can finish the food completely, preventing it from decomposing in the tank.
One type of food you can leave in the aquarium indefinitely are dried leaves from trees such as oak, beech, walnut, linden, mulberry, or seaalmond (ketapang).
How often should you feed aquarium shrimp?
Now that you know what shrimp eat, the next question is how often to feed them. In mature aquariums, shrimp find plenty of food on their own. Biofilm, detritus, and leaf litter provide a constant source of nourishment. So there’s no need to feed them commercial food every day especially if you have only a small group of shrimp (a few to a dozen individuals). As your shrimp population grows, you’ll need to increase both the frequency and amount of food offered. Simply observe their behavior: if they eat the food quickly and show interest, you’re likely feeding the right amount. Avoid allowing uneaten food to remain in the tank, as it will degrade water quality. In new or small tanks, you may notice shrimp dying after feeding. In such setups, it’s best to minimize feeding and focus on allowing the tank to fully mature and stabilize
She studied environmental protection (specializing in surface water protection) at the Agricultural University of Wrocław (now the University of Life Sciences), where she later obtained her PhD at the Faculty of Biology and Animal Husbandry.
Her research focuses on the effects of diet, supplementation, and natural additives on the health, condition, and reproduction of aquarium fish.
In her free time, she cares for her fish and cats, tends to plants, enjoys hiking, and stays active through sports.
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