You’ve just added some freshwater shrimp to your tank and you’re wondering, what do freshwater aquarium shrimp eat?
It would interest you to know that all freshwater shrimps are omnivorous, which means they can eat practically any type of organic food. Freshwater shrimp are scavengers that eat algae, bacteria, and dead plant pieces. They will even eat pieces of dead fish and shrimp. Think of them as the cleaners of their environment.
Regular fish food will suffice for a good diet for your freshwater aquarium shrimp. However, fan shrimp only eat food in small particles, so keep that in mind.
The 10 Best Freshwater Aquarium Shrimps
Whether you’re looking to add a new member to your community tank, or you just want to get into breeding, freshwater aquarium shrimp are some of the most beautiful water creatures you can keep.
Keep in mind that they come in several species and choosing the best one is dependent on what you are wanting them for, or your personal preferences.
One of the first things you must consider is the kind of shrimp that will work well in your tank. That may be a tough decision for you to make alone, which is why I have taken it upon myself to compile a list of the 10 best shrimps for freshwater aquariums.
Keep reading!
1. Red Cherry Shrimp
These are among the most popular species of aquarium shrimp. They are among the most beautiful too. Thanks to their bright red color.
They are also very easy to care for, which makes them perfect for those who are new to maintaining aquariums.
The red cherry shrimp will do well in community tanks so they are a great choice.
2. Ghost Shrimp
The ghost shrimp is probably the easiest shrimp to care for on my list. This also makes them perfect for first-time aquarium owners.
They are also excellent scavengers, so they don’t mind looking for food by themselves and will do well in a non-aggressive community tank.
3. Snowball Shrimp
Here’s another great recommendation for you. These species are also easy to care for, and it’s a wise choice for beginners.
They eat pretty much anything, and they can tolerate fluctuations in water balance.
An extra piece of good news is that they are fast breeders. This means they can fill your tank up with colonies in a short amount of time.
So, if you’re looking to grow a colony of shrimp, then this is a good option for you.
4. Blue Tiger Shrimp
This species of freshwater shrimp is among the most beautiful you will ever come across. They are brightly colored, and they will give your tank a beautiful look, especially when the aquarium lights are turned on.
5. Panda Shrimp
They have bold black and white patterns, and that’s why they are called panda shrimp. Their unique stripes make them very good to look at. They are also hard to find, unlike the other shrimp I placed on this list.
They are not as easy to care for as some of the other shrimp I mentioned here, being that they are very sensitive to water changes.
Also, if you are looking to start a shrimp colony in the shortest possible period, these may not be the best option for you, as they are slow breeders.
6. Babaulti Shrimp
These species come in several colors and patterns, so it’s easy to get them confused with other species of freshwater shrimp.
They are very easy to care for, and one of their most unique characteristics is their love for eating dead plants.
For this reason, they will be an excellent addition to a planted tank.
7. Blue Bolt Shrimp
Speaking of brightly colored shrimp, I don’t think you’ll find any better than this species.
They are a very rare species and they have one of the most unique looks a shrimp can have. Their bodies are colored in a blend of blue, yellow, and green.
They are ammonia sensitive, but besides that, they are relatively easy to care for.
8. Crystal Red Shrimp
This species of shrimp has become quite popular over the years, and for this reason, they have become pretty expensive.
One of the major reasons for their popularity is their overwhelming beauty, so it’s every freshwater aquarium owner’s dream.
The funny thing is, they are more difficult to care for than other species of shrimp, but I guess the hobbyists don’t mind, as their beauty makes up for the extra stress.
9. Bumblebee Shrimp
They have a black and gold striped pattern, similar to that of a bumblebee, so now you know how they got their name.
This species of freshwater shrimp are very sensitive to water chemistry, so they may not be a beginner’s best bet.
If you have some red cherry shrimp in your tank, you can add the bumblebee shrimp to it, since they like the same type of water, and don’t interbreed.
10. Amano Shrimp
These shrimps are famous for being algae lovers, as they can maintain a strict diet.
They are very easy to care for but breeding them could be challenging.
They are among the biggest freshwater aquarium shrimps you can find. They grow to about 2″ to 3” inches. This is great if you want to have them in community tanks since they are too big for most fish to eat.
Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Tank Mates
Sadly, most fish are not going to be friendly with aquarium shrimp. It would be a tragedy if you are planning on breeding them, as baby shrimp will be easy prey, even for the smaller-sized tank fish.
This is not to say all fish won’t co-exist with aquarium shrimp, as there are species that will. The otto cats and small plecos, for instance, do not bother baby shrimps.
If you’re not planning on breeding your shrimp, then there are other fish species that can co-exist. The guppies and tetras are good recommendations. They can eat baby shrimp but are not big enough to bother mature shrimp.
The bottom line is, fish and shrimp can be tank-mates, as long as the fish isn’t aggressive, or isn’t large enough to eat mature shrimp.
Conclusion
I trust this article has answered your question – What do freshwater aquarium shrimp eat?
I also hope the extra information provided here has been helpful.
Take care!
