Best Food for Shrimp: A Complete Feeding Guide
Last updated: February 2026 | 12 min read
Figuring out what to feed your shrimp can feel overwhelming. Walk into any aquarium store and you'll find dozens of shrimp foods, all claiming to be the best. Meanwhile, experienced keepers on Reddit's r/shrimptank swear by everything from specialty pellets to blanched spinach from the grocery store.
Here's the truth: shrimp aren't picky eaters. In the wild, they're scavengers and opportunistic feeders. Your job is to provide variety and avoid overfeeding. We'll break down exactly what to feed, how much, and which products actually deliver results.
What Do Shrimp Eat in the Wild?
Before we talk about commercial foods, understanding natural shrimp diets helps explain why variety matters.
Freshwater shrimp eat:
- •Biofilm: That slimy coating on surfaces? Shrimp love it. It's loaded with bacteria, algae, and microorganisms
- •Algae: Green algae, brown diatoms, pretty much any soft algae they can reach
- •Decaying plant matter: Fallen leaves, dying plant parts
- •Detritus: Dead organic material, leftover fish food, anything that sinks
- •Occasional protein: Dead insects, fish waste, even deceased tankmates
This scavenging lifestyle means shrimp need both plant-based foods and small amounts of protein. The best feeding approach mimics this variety.
The Best Commercial Shrimp Foods
Commercial shrimp foods fall into three main categories: pellets/wafers, powdered foods, and specialized supplements.
◆Complete Pellet Foods
These are your staple foods - nutritionally balanced and designed to be fed regularly.
Shrimp King Complete by Dennerle
One of the most popular choices among serious shrimp keepers. The pellets sink quickly, hold together well in water, and shrimp swarm them within seconds.
"I'm using Shrimp King by Dennerle. They really go for it and never see leftovers," shared one keeper on Reddit.
- •Contains natural proteins, vegetables, and minerals
- •Multiple specialized varieties available (Color, Protein, Mineral, etc.)
- •German-made quality control
Check current pricing on Shrimp King Complete
Glasgarten Shrimp Dinner
Another premium option from Germany. Glasgarten's entire product line has earned a cult following for good reason.
"Everything from Glasgarten," recommended a keeper when asked about high-quality foods. Their products consistently rank among the best.
Shirakura Ebi Dama
Japanese-made pellets with an excellent reputation. The name literally translates to "shrimp balls." They're specifically formulated for dwarf shrimp and break down slowly.
Ebita Breed Quatro II
A solid "complete food" option that covers all nutritional bases. Many keepers use this as their primary pellet and supplement with vegetables and other treats.
"A good complete food would be Shrimp King Complete or Ebita Breed Quatro II," advised an experienced keeper.
◆Budget-Friendly Options
Not everyone wants to spend $15-20 on specialty shrimp food. Good news: plenty of affordable options work well.
Fluval Bug Bites
Originally designed for fish, the bottom feeder formula works great for shrimp. The main ingredient is black soldier fly larvae, which is protein-rich and sustainable.
"I ended up just buying the shrimp formula of Fluval Bug Bites since my Betta liked the brand," wrote a beginner. Many keepers confirm their shrimp love it.
Hikari Algae Wafers
A staple in the aquarium hobby for decades. Shrimp will happily graze on broken pieces. Just watch the portion size since these wafers are designed for larger bottom feeders.
"Really any algae wafer or sinking bottom feeder food works," noted one keeper.
◆Powdered Foods for Baby Shrimp
Baby shrimp (shrimplets) can't eat the same pellets as adults. Their tiny mouths need microscopic food sources. Powdered foods spread throughout the tank, ensuring babies can find nutrition everywhere.
Bacter AE by Glasgarten
This isn't technically "food" - it's a biofilm booster. You add it to the water, and it feeds the beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that form biofilm. Shrimp (especially babies) then graze on this biofilm constantly.
"BacterAE is generally accepted as the best powdered food. It spreads around the whole tank and leads to greater baby survival rates," explained a keeper.
Use Bacter AE 2-3 times per week if you're trying to boost your colony size. A little goes a long way.
Shrimp Baby Food
Several brands make dedicated baby shrimp food. These dissolve into fine particles that baby shrimp can consume. Consider these if you're breeding and want maximum survival rates.
Vegetables and Natural Foods
Some of the best shrimp foods come straight from your kitchen. Vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, and variety that pellets alone can't match.
◆Blanched Vegetables
"Blanching" means briefly boiling vegetables to soften them and remove pesticides. Here's the process:
- •Bring water to a boil
- •Drop vegetables in for 30-60 seconds
- •Remove and cool (ice bath works fastest)
- •Weigh down in the tank with a fork, plant weight, or feeding dish
Best Vegetables for Shrimp:
Spinach
The gold standard for shrimp vegetables. It's cheap, shrimp devour it, and it's nutritionally excellent.
"Best overall food for tank and shrimp would be boiled spinach. Contains everything they need to grow, molt, and reproduce without risking your water quality," shared an experienced keeper.
You can buy fresh spinach or use frozen (thaw first). Avoid canned spinach because of added sodium.
Zucchini
Zucchini slices are another shrimp favorite. They're easy to prepare, sink well after blanching, and shrimp will clean a slice down to the rind overnight.
Cut into thin medallions (1/4 inch thick) for easier eating.
Cucumber
Similar to zucchini but slightly softer. Some shrimp prefer it over zucchini. Try both and see what your colony prefers.
Other Options:
- •Kale (very nutritious)
- •Broccoli (blanch thoroughly)
- •Carrot (needs longer blanching)
- •Peas (remove the outer skin)
- •Sweet potato (blanch well)
Warning: Remove uneaten vegetables after 24 hours. Rotting veggies will spike ammonia levels.
◆Leaves
Dried leaves serve two purposes: they provide food as they decompose, and they release tannins that can benefit shrimp.
Indian Almond Leaves (Catappa)
These tropical leaves are incredibly popular in shrimp keeping. As they break down, shrimp graze on the biofilm and decaying leaf matter. The tannins also have mild antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Drop a leaf in your tank and leave it until shrimp have consumed it entirely. No preparation needed.
Mulberry Leaves
Silkworms eat mulberry leaves, and shrimp love them too. They break down faster than Indian almond leaves, making them more of a direct food source.
Oak and Beech Leaves
If you have access to pesticide-free oak or beech trees, you can collect fallen leaves for free. Boil them first to kill any hitchhikers and help them sink.
Protein Sources
Shrimp need some protein, especially for healthy molting and egg development. However, too much protein can cause water quality issues.
◆Commercial Protein Foods
- •Shrimp King Protein (once weekly max)
- •Snowflake food (made from soybean hulls, balanced protein)
- •Frozen bloodworms (use sparingly, 1-2 times monthly)
- •Brine shrimp (occasional treat)
◆Natural Protein
In established tanks, shrimp often get enough protein from:
- •Biofilm
- •Dead plant matter
- •Deceased tankmates (yes, really)
- •Leftover fish food
Unless you're pushing for maximum breeding, most tanks don't need supplemental protein.
Mineral Supplements
Shrimp have exoskeletons made of calcium and other minerals. After each molt, they need to rebuild their shell quickly. Mineral supplements help prevent molting problems.
◆Cuttlebone
The cheapest option. Buy cuttlebone from the bird section of any pet store, break off a small piece, and drop it in. It slowly dissolves and releases calcium.
◆Mineral Stones
Glasgarten Mineral Junkie Pearls and SL Aqua Mineral Stone are popular options. Shrimp actively graze on them and get minerals directly.
◆GH Boosters
If your water is very soft, you may need to add minerals to the water column. Products like Salty Shrimp GH/KH+ raise mineral content.
How Much Should You Feed?
Overfeeding is the number one mistake beginners make. Shrimp don't need much food, and uneaten food pollutes your water.
◆The Golden Rule
Less is more. Shrimp can survive weeks without supplemental feeding if your tank has biofilm and algae. You're supplementing their diet, not providing all their nutrition.
◆Feeding Amounts
For a colony of 20-30 shrimp in a 10-gallon tank:
- •Pellets: 3-5 small pellets, 3-4 times per week
- •Vegetables: One small slice, once or twice weekly
- •Powdered food: Tiny pinch, 2-3 times weekly
"That is so much food it will kill your shrimp from complications from overfeeding. The correct dose is 1/8 the recommended amount," warned one keeper responding to a beginner's feeding plan.
◆Signs of Overfeeding
- •Ammonia or nitrite spikes
- •Cloudy water
- •Uneaten food after 2-3 hours
- •Pest snail population explosion
- •Planaria appearing
◆Signs of Underfeeding
- •Shrimp constantly searching for food
- •Fighting over food when added
- •Slow colony growth
- •Pale coloration
Feeding Tips and Tricks
◆Use a Feeding Dish
A small dish or tray keeps food in one spot, making cleanup easier and preventing food from getting lost in the substrate.
"Get a dish to feed your shrimp - it will be easier to not over or under feed, and you won't make a mess," recommended a keeper.
You can buy dedicated shrimp feeding dishes or use any small, non-toxic container that sinks.
◆Rotate Foods
Don't feed the same thing every day. A rotation might look like:
- •Monday: Pellet food
- •Tuesday: Skip (let them graze biofilm)
- •Wednesday: Blanched vegetable
- •Thursday: Skip
- •Friday: Different pellet or protein
- •Saturday: Skip
- •Sunday: Powdered food or supplement
◆Fasting Days
Shrimp benefit from fasting days. This encourages them to clean up detritus and biofilm, which keeps your tank healthier. Two or three days per week without supplemental food is fine.
◆Watch for Food Aggression
If shrimp fight aggressively over food or swarm it desperately, you may be underfeeding. Healthy, well-fed shrimp should approach food calmly.
Sample Weekly Feeding Schedule
Here's a practical schedule for a typical cherry shrimp colony:
| Day | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Shrimp King pellet (3-4) | - |
| Tuesday | - | Bacter AE (tiny pinch) |
| Wednesday | Blanched spinach | Remove uneaten spinach |
| Thursday | - | - |
| Friday | Glasgarten pellet | - |
| Saturday | - | Indian almond leaf |
| Sunday | - | - |
Adjust based on your colony size and how quickly food disappears.
Special Feeding Considerations
◆Breeding Colonies
If you want maximum babies, consider:
- •More frequent Bacter AE for biofilm
- •Protein supplement once weekly
- •Keep minerals available constantly
- •Slightly increase overall feeding
◆Caridina vs. Neocaridina
Caridina shrimp (Crystal Red, Taiwan Bee, etc.) have stricter requirements but eat the same foods. Focus more on:
- •Mineral supplementation (they're more sensitive to molting issues)
- •Biofilm-rich environments
- •Avoiding protein overload
◆Mixed Tanks
In tanks with fish, shrimp often get plenty of food from leftover fish food. You may not need to feed shrimp specifically at all. Watch their behavior - if they seem well-fed and breeding, they're probably fine.
Building Your Shrimp Food Collection
You don't need everything at once. Start with the basics and expand over time.
◆Starter Kit (Under $30)
- •One quality pellet food (Shrimp King Complete or Fluval Bug Bites)
- •Spinach from the grocery store
- •Cuttlebone
◆Intermediate Setup ($30-60)
- •Two pellet varieties
- •Bacter AE for babies
- •Indian almond leaves
- •Feeding dish
- •Mineral supplement
◆Advanced Collection ($60+)
- •Multiple specialty pellets
- •Full Glasgarten lineup
- •Various dried leaves
- •Protein supplements
- •Snowflake food
- •Multiple vegetables on rotation
The Bottom Line
Feeding shrimp is simpler than most beginners think. Focus on:
- •Quality over quantity - One good pellet food beats five mediocre ones
- •Variety - Mix pellets, vegetables, and natural foods
- •Underfeeding > Overfeeding - When in doubt, skip a feeding
- •Minerals - Keep calcium available for healthy molts
- •Biofilm - A mature tank provides constant grazing opportunities
Start simple, watch how your shrimp respond, and adjust from there. Every colony is different, and you'll develop your own routine over time.
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