What Do Aquarium Shrimp Eat? Best Foods for Healthy Shrimp

Shrimp are a fantastic addition to any aquarium. Not only are they fascinating to watch, but they also play an important role in your tank’s clean-up crew, helping to keep things tidy by grazing on algae, biofilm and leftover food.

But while shrimp are great little cleaners, they still need a balanced diet to stay healthy, grow and thrive. So, what should you feed your shrimp, how often should you feed them, and which foods are best?

Let’s take a closer look!

 

Why Do You Need to Feed Shrimp?

As part of your aquarium’s clean-up crew, shrimp spend much of their time grazing on surfaces around the tank. They’ll happily pick at algae, biofilm, decaying plant matter and leftover fish food, making the most of whatever they can find.

However, just because your shrimp are constantly grazing doesn’t mean they’re getting everything they need!

A varied, nutritious diet helps support healthy growth, good colouration and successful moulting. Providing dedicated shrimp food also helps ensure they receive the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

 

Won’t Shrimp Just Eat Algae?

Yes! Algae and biofilm can make up a significant part of a shrimp’s natural diet, and you’ll often see them picking away at plants, rocks, decorations and other surfaces in your aquarium.

However, algae alone isn’t a nutritionally complete diet. Shrimp need a variety of nutrients to support their overall health, growth and development.

There’s also the question of numbers. In a tank with a large shrimp population, the naturally occurring algae and biofilm might not be enough to feed everyone. As your colony grows, you may need to provide additional food to make sure there’s enough to go around.

This is where dedicated shrimp foods come in. They help supplement what your shrimp find naturally in the aquarium and allow you to offer a more varied, balanced diet.

 

How Often Should You Feed Shrimp?

How often you should feed your shrimp depends on a few things, including the size of your colony, the type of food you’re using and how much natural grazing is available in your tank.

Some foods are suitable for regular feeding, while others are better used occasionally as a treat or supplement.

As a general rule, always check the recommended feeding guide on the food you’re using and adjust the amount to suit your shrimp population. It’s important not to overfeed, as uneaten food can break down and affect your aquarium’s water quality.

Remember, shrimp in tanks with plenty of natural food sources may need less supplementary feeding. Start with small amounts, monitor how quickly your shrimp eat, and remove any uneaten food when necessary.

 

Our Favourite Shrimp Foods

There are lots of different shrimp foods available, from everyday staples to protein-rich options, mineral supplements and fun feeding treats.

We stock a range of shrimp foods in-store and online, giving you plenty of options to build a varied diet for your colony. 

To help narrow things down, here are some of our favourites!

 

NT Labs Shrimp Enhancer - A Great Everyday Food

Looking for a straightforward food to add to your shrimp’s regular feeding routine? NT Labs Shrimp Enhancer is a great option to consider.

It’s a useful choice for everyday feeding, helping you supplement your shrimp’s natural grazing with a dedicated shrimp food.

Best for: A regular addition to your shrimp-feeding routine.

 

Shrimp King Foods - Something for Every Need

Shrimp King offers a variety of foods designed to help you cater to different aspects of your shrimp’s diet. Here are a few options worth exploring:

• Shrimp King Complete: A great all-round option for everyday feeding. If you’re looking for a good starting point, this is a great food to consider as part of a varied diet.

• Shrimp King Protein: A protein-focused food that can help support growth, development and colour.

• Shrimp King Mineral: Designed to provide additional minerals, making it a useful choice for supporting healthy moulting.

• Shrimp King 5 in 1: Ideal if you want to introduce some variety into your shrimp’s diet. It’s also a handy way to try different foods and see which ones your shrimp prefer before committing to larger packs.

With different options available, you can choose the foods that best suit your shrimp and build a feeding routine that works for your tank.

 

Shrimp Lollies - Feeding Time Made Fun

Shrimp lollies are a great way to make feeding time a little more interactive.

Available in a variety of flavours, these treats give your shrimp something to gather around. It’s a brilliant opportunity to watch your colony come together as shrimp climb onto the lolly to investigate and feed.

You can also use a dedicated lolly holder to keep the lolly in place, making it easier to position in your aquarium and observe your shrimp enjoying their food.

Best for: An interactive feeding experience and a fun way to offer variety.

 

Shrimp Jelly - A Little Goes a Long Way

Shrimp jelly is yet another great option, and it can be enjoyed by both shrimp and fish!

One of the best things about jelly food is that you only need a small amount. Just one drop can feed around 10 shrimp, making it a convenient option for smaller colonies or as part of a varied feeding routine.

Available in three flavours (Spirulina, Nettle and Artemia) you can add variety to your shrimp’s diet and discover which flavours they enjoy the most! 

Best for: small portions, easy feeding and sharing with fish in a community tank.

 

Shrimp Food Balls - Ideal for Occasional Feeding

If you want something for less frequent feeding, shrimp food balls are worth considering.

These are a convenient option for occasional supplementary feeding, with each ball providing food for up to 50 shrimp. They’re best used sporadically, around once or twice a week, rather than as your shrimp’s daily food source.

They can be particularly useful for providing an additional food source when your shrimp have plenty of natural grazing available but would benefit from a little extra nutrients and variety.

Best for: Occasional feeding and supplementing natural grazing.

 

How Do You Choose the Right Shrimp Food?

With so many options available, choosing the right food doesn’t need to be complicated.

If you’re just starting out, an all-round food such as NT Labs Shrimp Enhancer or Shrimp King Complete is a good place to begin. From there, you can introduce other foods to add variety and cater to different nutritional needs.

You could try a protein-focused food, include a mineral supplement, or offer the occasional lolly or jelly as something a little different.

The most important thing is to avoid relying on a single food source or assuming that algae alone will provide everything your shrimp need. A varied diet, sensible portions and good aquarium maintenance will help keep your shrimp happy and healthy.

And don’t forget to consider your colony size! The amount of food a small group needs will be very different from the amount required by a thriving colony of shrimp.

 

Ready to Feed Your Shrimp?

Whether you’re looking for a daily staple, a food to support healthy moulting, or a tasty treat for your shrimp, there are plenty of options to choose from.

We stock a wide range of shrimp foods in-store and online to suit different needs and help keep your shrimp happy and healthy.

Not sure which food is right for your tank? Get in touch with our friendly team, who will be happy to offer advice and help you find the best option for your shrimp.

Browse our range of shrimp foods today and give your little clean-up crew the nutrition and variety they need to thrive!

For more information and advice on shrimp and aquatics, check out the rest of our blogs…

Our Top 10 Best Algae-Eating Fish for Freshwater Tanks | Can I Use Tap Water In My Aquarium? | Understanding Your Aquarium Water