Freshwater Shrimp Food

Choosing the Right Shrimp Food

Freshwater shrimp spend much of their time grazing on biofilm, algae and tiny organic particles around the aquarium. A suitable prepared shrimp food can help provide a more consistent and varied diet alongside this natural grazing.

The right food depends on the shrimp you keep, the size of the colony and how much natural food is already available in the aquarium.

Food for Neocaridina and Caridina Shrimp

Many popular aquarium shrimp belong to the Neocaridina and Caridina groups. This includes commonly kept shrimp such as Cherry Shrimp, Blue Dream Shrimp, Yellow Cherry Shrimp and Crystal Shrimp.

While their exact requirements can vary, most freshwater shrimp benefit from a varied diet rather than relying on a single food source.

If you're looking for livestock as well as food, browse our freshwater aquarium shrimp currently available.

Sinking Foods, Pellets and Granules

Because shrimp usually feed from the substrate and other surfaces, sinking foods are particularly useful.

Pellets and granules make it easier to place food directly into the feeding area. Some products soften or break apart gradually, allowing several shrimp to feed at the same time.

Check the individual product description for ingredients, feeding recommendations and food format before choosing the best option for your aquarium.

How Much Should You Feed Aquarium Shrimp?

It is easy to overfeed a shrimp aquarium. Start with a small amount and observe how quickly the colony consumes it.

If significant food remains uneaten, remove the excess and reduce the amount at the next feeding. This helps limit unnecessary organic waste building up in the aquarium.

Remember that established shrimp tanks may already provide considerable natural grazing through biofilm, algae and microorganisms growing on plants, rocks and driftwood.

Feeding Shrimp in Community Aquariums

When shrimp share an aquarium with fish, make sure some food actually reaches them.

Fast-moving fish may consume food before it reaches the bottom. A targeted sinking shrimp food can help provide food directly to the shrimp rather than relying only on leftovers from fish feeding.

Shop Shrimp Food Online in Australia

Browse our current range of shrimp food in Australia and compare specialist foods by ingredients, format, pack size and feeding recommendations.

You can also explore our complete aquarium fish food range for other freshwater aquarium diets.

Aquaholics Online offers Australia-wide delivery, with aquarium supplies and local support available from our Sunshine Coast store.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best food for aquarium shrimp?

The best food depends on the shrimp species, colony size and how much natural grazing material is available. A varied diet using appropriately sized shrimp foods is generally preferable to relying on one food alone.

Do Cherry Shrimp need special food?

Cherry Shrimp naturally graze on biofilm, algae and organic material, but a suitable prepared shrimp food can provide additional nutrition and variety.

How often should I feed freshwater shrimp?

Feeding frequency depends on colony size and how much natural food is available. Start conservatively, observe how quickly the food is consumed and adjust from there.

Can shrimp eat normal fish food?

Shrimp may eat some fish foods, but specialist sinking shrimp foods make it easier to provide appropriately sized food directly to the colony.

Should uneaten shrimp food be removed?

Yes. Remove significant uneaten food and reduce the next feeding amount to help prevent excess waste building up in the aquarium.