Are Shrimp Carnivores, Omnivores, or Herbivores?

Shrimp are amazing little creatures that come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. They are found in oceans, lakes, and rivers all over the world. But one question that often comes up is – are shrimp carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the eating habits of shrimp.

An Overview of Shrimp Diets

Shrimp are a type of crustacean that are closely related to lobsters and crabs. There are thousands of different shrimp species, but they can generally be divided into two main groups based on their diets:

• Carnivorous shrimp – These shrimp eat mostly animal matter, including worms, small fish, plankton, and even other shrimp. Some examples are tiger shrimp, mantis shrimp, and harlequin shrimp.

• Omnivorous shrimp – These shrimp eat both plant and animal matter. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat algae plant matter detritus, small invertebrates like copepods, and even carrion. Many common shrimp like cherry shrimp and ghost shrimp are omnivorous.

What Do Different Shrimp Species Eat?

To understand shrimp diets let’s take a closer look at what some common species eat

• Ghost shrimp – These small freshwater shrimp eat algae, plant matter, detritus, and tiny invertebrates like copepods. They will also scavenge dead animals. So they are omnivorous filter feeders.

• Cherry shrimp – Like ghost shrimp, these popular aquarium shrimp eat algae, biofilm, debris, and microorganisms. They graze peacefully in planted tanks.

• Amano shrimp – An algae-eating machine! Amanos devour all types of algae including troublesome hair algae. They also eat leftover fish food and detritus.

• Bamboo shrimp – A filter feeding species that uses its fans to collect plankton and suspended organic particles from the water.

• Vampire shrimp – Despite their scary name, vampire shrimp eat only very small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, and zooplankton. They are predators, but don’t actually suck blood!

• Tiger shrimp – Aggressive hunters that eat small fish, shrimp, crabs, worms, and mollusks. They are purely carnivorous.

So in the shrimp world, different species have adapted very specialized feeding strategies and diets. But they all incorporate at least some animal matter.

Why Can’t Shrimp Be Herbivores?

Shrimp lack cellulase, which is the enzyme needed to break down the cellulose found in plant cell walls. Since they can’t digest this compound, shrimp can’t survive on a plant-only diet. Even shrimp that eat lots of algae and plant matter need to also consume meat to get enough nutrients and protein.

However, some shrimp have a symbiotic relationship with cellulase-producing bacteria in their digestive systems. These bacteria help the shrimp digest and unlock nutrients from plant matter and detritus. Still, shrimp with these bacteria supplements still ingest at least some animal matter.

The Bottom Line

To wrap up, shrimp inhabit a diverse range of ecological niches, from gentle plant grazers to vicious hunters. While some species are mostly carnivorous and others omnivorous, there are currently no shrimp species that can survive on vegetation alone. So in general, all shrimp are either carnivores or omnivores, not herbivores.

Understanding the dietary preferences of different shrimp species can help aquarists pick appropriate tankmates and feed properly balanced diets. Shrimp keep the food web running smoothly through their varied feeding strategies. Whether they are picking algae, catching copepods or hunting fish, shrimp fill an essential role in aquatic ecosystems.