What Does Cleaner Shrimp Eat? A Detailed Look at Their Unique Diet

Cleaner shrimp play an integral role in saltwater aquariums and ocean reef ecosystems. But what exactly do these helpful creatures eat? Their diet is quite fascinating and contributes to their “cleaning” abilities. In this article we’ll take a deep dive into the unique dietary needs of cleaner shrimp.

Let’s start with a quick primer on cleaner shrimp themselves. There are several different species that fall under the “cleaner shrimp” moniker. Most common are the Pacific cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis), spotted cleaner shrimp (Periclimenes magnificus), scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata grabhami), and banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus).

Cleaner shrimp are named for their symbiotic relationship with fish The shrimp eat parasites, dead tissue, mucus, and other material off of fish. This keeps the fish healthy by removing harmful organisms and infections In return, the shrimp get an easy meal. It’s a win-win situation!

In the wild, cleaner shrimp congregate at “cleaning stations” where fish come to be serviced. Cleaner shrimp exhibit similar behaviors in home aquariums, happily cleaning fish tankmates. Their peaceful temperament makes them ideal for community tanks.

Now that we know why they are called “cleaner” shrimp, let’s look at their diverse diet and feeding habits.

Parasites and Dead Tissue from Fish

The natural diet of cleaner shrimp consists primarily of parasites, dead tissue, mucus, and wounds from fish. When shrimp live on the ocean reef, they get all their nutrition from cleaning client fish that visit their station.

Some species like the peppermint shrimp will even eat problem pests like aptasia anemones that plague reef tanks.

Eating parasites and infected areas on fish helps control disease. The shrimp’s picking also aids healing by removing infectious material and reducing inflammation. This is why fish seek out cleaner shrimp for their services!

Tiny Critters Living on Algae

Cleaner shrimp will also pick at algae not for the algae itself, but to eat the microfauna living on and in the algae. This includes tiny crustaceans, worms, larvae and more that take shelter in the algae.

The shrimp are not actually eating the algae for sustenance when they do this. But picking the algae clean is an easy way for them to hunt down these microscopic critters and supplements their diet.

Frozen & Prepared Foods

In home aquariums, cleaner shrimp should be supplemented with frozen and prepared foods since they do not have access to their natural diet of parasites and injuries from fish.

Good options include frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, plankton, and other meaty frozen seafood. Small high-quality pellets or flakes can also work if the shrimp will accept them.

Feeding them directly with a turkey baster or tweezers ensures they get food before tankmates gobble it up. Target feeding is especially important when shrimp are newly introduced and still establishing themselves.

Occasional Meaty Treats

For variety, cleaner shrimp appreciate the occasional meaty treat! Small pieces of seafood like tilapia, scallop, or shrimp can bring out their colors and activity. Just don’t overdo it, as too much fatty foods can cause issues. Treats should compose only a small part of their diet.

What They DON’T Eat

Just as important as knowing what cleaner shrimp do eat is understanding what they don’t eat. Cleaner shrimp do not actually consume algae as a significant food source. They are not efficient algae-eaters like snails or algae-grazing fish.

Nor do cleaner shrimp subsist on aquarium flakes or pellets as a primary diet. These foods are too artificial and lack proper nutrition without supplements.

Lastly, cleaner shrimp do not consume corals or sessile invertebrates. They only eat critters they can pick off surfaces, not attached organisms. This makes them an excellent addition to reef tanks containing coral.

Feeding Tips for Optimal Health

Now that we know what goes into a proper cleaner shrimp diet, here are some tips to ensure they thrive:

• Target feed initially so they can find food before tankmates
• Soak foods in a coral amino acid supplement to enhance nutrition
• Feed a variety – alternate mysis, brine, plankton, pellets, etc
• Fast 1-2 days weekly to prevent fatty liver disease
• Sprinkle food in their hiding spots so they can find it easily
• Drop food at night for 24/7 nibbling

Following these best practices will satisfy their dietary requirements and support vigorous cleaner shrimp in your aquarium!

What Happens If They Don’t Get Proper Nutrition?

Lack of proper nutrition will unfortunately cause health issues for cleaner shrimp. Signs of malnutrition include:

• Loss of natural coloration
• Lethargy and loss of activity
• Failure to thrive and grow
• Increased susceptibility to disease
• Eventual starvation and death

Ensuring cleaner shrimp get sufficient nutrition takes some extra work in our aquarium environments. But it is well worth it to sustain these beneficial creatures!

Are All Cleaner Shrimp the Same?

While their core diet remains similar, there are some subtle differences in feeding between cleaner shrimp species:

• Peppermint shrimp vigorously eat aptasia but most others do not
• Pacific cleaner shrimp are less aggressive at feeding compared to others
• Fire shrimp require more meaty foods than small critters
• Coral banded shrimp need plenty of hiding places to find food

Get to know the unique traits of the exact species you keep for best results. For example, shy coral banded shrimp may need even more target feeding than a bold skunk cleaner shrimp.

Can Cleaner Shrimp Help Control Fish Disease?

Clean cleaner shrimp can help reduce fish disease like ich and marine velvet in aquariums when present before infections spread. By eating parasites directly off fish, shrimp can keep pathogen levels lower.

However, you should never rely solely on cleaner shrimp to cure active fish diseases. That requires medications, quarantine, and a comprehensive strategy. But shrimp can be part of your arsenal for disease prevention in a healthy tank.

Are Cleaner Shrimp Compatible with Fish?

Most cleaner shrimp are extremely peaceful and make excellent tankmates for fish. Many fish even enjoy the shrimp cleaning services!

That said, very large or very aggressive fish may see shrimp as food. Use caution when pairing cleaner shrimp with lionfish, grouper, triggers, puffers or voracious predators.

Slow moving and docile community fish are best tankmates. Choose species already found in “cleaning stations” with shrimp in the wild. Good examples are tangs, angels, gobies, basslets, and wrasses.

Breeding Cleaner Shrimp

Cleaner shrimp breed by laying eggs after the female molts. However, breeding captive shrimp is extremely difficult and rare. The larvae require intricate plankton culture systems to survive through their fragile early stages.

While interesting, breeding cleaner shrimp remains too complex for the average home aquarist. Purchasing captive-bred shrimp is the best way to add these creatures to your tank. Some patience may be needed to source shrimp that are tank raised.

A Unique Diet for Unique Shrimp

Well there you have it – a closer look at the diet and nutrition of those phenomenal cleaner shrimp! What they consume is just as fascinating as their cleaning behaviors.

With a balanced shrimp diet including parasites, critters, prepared foods, and occasional seafood treats, cleaner shrimp will thrive in home saltwater aquariums. Just be aware of their specialized needs compared to fish. A little extra effort gives them the diet they desire.