Some places where you can find freshwater shrimp are in the southern US, Mexico, and Central and South America.They like warm water. They come in diverse and vibrant colors. Let’s get right to the point of what shrimp eat in freshwater aquariums and how to take care of them.
Freshwater shrimp can be kept in most tropical freshwater fish aquariums, like tetras, and tiger barbs. However, setting up a shrimp tank can be different from setting up a fish tank. Then, how to set up a shrimp tank, and how to care for shrimp in aquariums?.
Cherry shrimp are a popular dwarf freshwater shrimp kept by aquarists. But what do these tiny creatures like to eat? Can you feed cherry shrimp brine shrimp? In this article, we’ll discuss the cherry shrimp diet, the nutritional benefits of brine shrimp, and tips for safely feeding brine shrimp to your aquarium shrimp.
An Overview of Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp, scientifically known as Neocaridina davidi, are a species of small freshwater dwarf shrimp native to Taiwan Selective breeding has produced the bright red color morphs that are commonly kept in home aquariums today
In the wild, these shrimp live in streams, rivers, and ponds densely packed with aquatic vegetation. They are omnivorous and feed on algae, biofilm, insect larvae, and tiny invertebrates. Their small size, peaceful nature, and low bioload make them well suited for nano planted aquariums.
The Natural Diet of Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet in the wild consists of:
- Algae – greens, diatoms, brown and blue-green algae
- Biofilm – the thin layer of microbes coating surfaces underwater
- Decaying plant matter
- Small insects, insect larvae, copepods, daphnia, etc.
This gives them a balanced mix of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. In the aquarium, we aim to replicate their diverse diet through a variety of foods.
Can Cherry Shrimp Eat Brine Shrimp?
Yes, cherry shrimp can safely eat brine shrimp. Brine shrimp provide an excellent source of protein and nutrients for aquarium shrimp. In fact, brine shrimp are one of the most commonly fed live foods for dwarf shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Brine shrimp are tiny crustaceans that hatch from dormant eggs when placed in saltwater They are nutritious first foods commonly fed to fish fry and baby shrimp Adult shrimp also relish brine shrimp as a tasty protein-rich treat.
So feel free to feed freshly hatched or previously frozen brine shrimp to your cherry shrimp. They will eagerly devour them!
Nutritional Benefits of Brine Shrimp
Here are some of the main nutritional benefits brine shrimp offer:
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Protein – Brine shrimp are over 50% protein by dry weight. Protein supports growth and healing
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Amino acids – Contain all 9 essential amino acids shrimp need.
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Fatty acids – Rich in DHA, EPA and other beneficial fatty acids.
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Vitamins & minerals – High in vitamins A, B, C, D, E and minerals like zinc, magnesium and potassium.
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Pigments – Contain astaxanthin and other carotenoids for coloration.
Compared to other common aquarium feeds like fish flakes, brine shrimp are more nutritious and digestible for shrimp. They make an excellent supplemental food 2-3 times per week.
Feeding Brine Shrimp to Cherry Shrimp
When feeding brine shrimp to your cherry shrimp, follow these tips:
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Offer live newly hatched brine shrimp or previously frozen brine shrimp that was thawed in tank water.
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Feed brine shrimp as a treat 2-3 times per week along with their regular diet. Variety is important.
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Feed only as much as shrimp can consume within a few hours. Remove any uneaten brine shrimp to avoid fouling the water.
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For live brine shrimp, make sure to rinse well in freshwater before feeding to remove salt.
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Crush up larger frozen brine shrimp before feeding to make it easier for dwarf shrimp to eat.
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Make sure brine shrimp products do not contain copper sulfate or other additives harmful to invertebrates.
Brine Shrimp Feeding Tips
Here are some additional brine shrimp feeding tips for cherry shrimp:
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Feed more frequently to breeding and pregnant shrimp who need extra nutrition.
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Newborn and juvenile shrimp may need brine shrimp crushed up even smaller for them to eat.
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Vary between live and frozen brine shrimp for diversity. Shrimp enjoy the movement of live food.
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Live adult brine shrimp may be too large for dwarf shrimp. Use newly hatched brine shrimp within 24 hours.
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Soak freeze dried brine shrimp in tank water before feeding to rehydrate. Watch that shrimp eat them.
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Monitor water parameters after feeding brine shrimp and do a water change if ammonia or nitrites start to climb.
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Feed a high quality spirulina or carotenoid enhanced brine shrimp for maximum nutrition.
How Often Should You Feed Brine Shrimp?
Feed brine shrimp in moderation as part of a varied diet. Here are some feeding frequency guidelines:
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1-2 times per week – Offer brine shrimp as an occasional treat for adult cherry shrimp.
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2-3 times per week – Increase frequency for actively breeding cherry shrimp who need more protein and nutrients.
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Daily – Feed newly hatched baby brine shrimp daily to juvenile cherry shrimp for faster growth.
Avoid feeding brine shrimp as the sole diet. Shrimp need a balance of plant and animal foods. Monitor water quality and reduce frequency if ammonia rises.
Brine Shrimp Alternatives
While brine shrimp are excellent shrimp food, there are alternatives you can also offer:
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Daphnia – Small aquatic invertebrates called water fleas. Similar nutrition profile.
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Copepods – Tiny freshwater crustaceans that shrimp will hunt down. Offer live or frozen varieties.
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Mosquito larvae – Another protein-rich live food. Rinse off any additives before feeding.
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Fish flakes or pellets – Specially formulated for omnivorous shrimp. Soak before feeding.
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Shrimp pellets or granules – Made for dwarf shrimp with added minerals.
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Blanched vegetables – Cucumber, zucchini, spinach, carrots, shelled peas.
Commercially Prepared Brine Shrimp Foods
There are many prepared brine shrimp foods on the market for feeding fish and shrimp:
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Live brine shrimp eggs – Hatch into nutritious baby brine shrimp within 24 hours. Rinse before feeding.
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Frozen brine shrimp – Previously frozen adult or baby brine shrimp. Convenient for use any time.
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Freeze dried brine shrimp – Shelf-stable but needs to be rehydrated before feeding.
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Brine shrimp flakes – Dried and powdered into a flake formulation. Soak before feeding.
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Brine shrimp pellets – Made into a sinking pellet food containing brine shrimp meal.
Make sure to read ingredients carefully to avoid brands containing unwanted fillers, preservatives or copper.
Balancing a Shrimp Diet
To keep cherry shrimp healthy, feed a varied, balanced diet including:
- Protein sources – brine shrimp, daphnia, fish food, shrimp pellets
- Fiber and veggies – blanched vegetables, algae wafers
- Grazing – biofilm, algae, moss, leaves
- Supplements – calcium, minerals
A diverse diet provides all the essential nutrients shrimp need. Always monitor water quality when feeding high protein foods like brine shrimp. Doing partial water changes helps keep nutrients in balance.
Brine Shrimp Safety Precautions
While brine shrimp are very nutritious, take these safety precautions:
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Rinse live brine shrimp in freshwater for 5-10 minutes to remove salt before feeding. Salt can harm freshwater shrimp.
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Avoid overfeeding. Uneaten brine shrimp can foul the water as they decay.
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Crush up large frozen brine shrimp so dwarf shrimp don’t choke.
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Look for copper-free brands. Copper is toxic to invertebrates.
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Discontinue use if you see an ammonia spike after feeding.
Following basic brine shrimp feeding best practices will help provide your cherry shrimp a healthy, well balanced diet. They will thrive and eagerly await brine shrimp treat days!
How to care for freshwater shrimp in aquariums
Regular water changes
It is vital to change the water once every two weeks. During the water change process, you can also clean the substrate with an electric vacuum cleaner. Then, the aquarium water quality in the shrimp tank would not get poor.
Monitor water parameters
Frequent water parameter fluctuation would cause shrimp death. Every so often, you should check the TDS, water temperature, ammonia level, nitrite level, nitrate level, pH level, and other things that affect the water. TDS measures the total dissolved solids in aquarium water. Too much TDS would pose threats to shrimps’ health. Take ghost shrimp as an example, the ideal TDS ranges from 150 to 200.
Necessary aquarium equipment
Seeing that there are aquatic plants in freshwater shrimp aquariums, adding an aquarium light may be needed. Any planted aquarium LED lights can be optimal options. Just choose one according to the tank size and plants’ needs.
Whether you should add an aquarium heater depends on the shrimp’ needs. Commonly, it is better to keep the water temp between 70℉-79℉. So, in some places, you might need to add an aquarium heater to keep the water warm and stable.
The sponge filter is perfect for shrimp tanks. Because it is effective and easy to install. Furthermore, you should make sure that the filter in shrimp tanks will not suck away the small shrimp. Additionally, you need to clean the sponge once a month.
How to set up a shrimp tank
Basic steps include putting down substrate, decorating the aquarium, adding water, cycling the tank, and putting shrimp in it. Next, let’s learn more about the shrimp tank setup.
Tank size
You should prepare a tank first. Although most shrimp are small, the minimum tank size can be about 2 – 5 gallons. However, in general, the larger, the better if you keep an amount of shrimp.
Aquarium substrate
Fine gravel, sand, and aquarium soil are excellent alternatives. However, it is better to rinse the substrate before adding it to aquariums. Otherwise, your aquarium water will be cloudy for a few days. Generally, just keep the substrate for about 1–3 inches in height. Because a substrate that is too deep would cause anaerobic gas to build up, which is bad for shrimp tanks
Aquarium decorations
Shrimp need hiding places. You can create hiding space with aquarium decorations, like wood, caves, rocks, ornament tree trunk, or others. Plus, microorganisms will grow on the surface of these aquarium objects. And it can be another food source for shrimp.
Aquatic plants
Aquatic plants provide more hiding places for shrimp. The available aquatic plants can be Anubias, Java moss, Java fern, and moss balls. Plus, adding some aquatic plants can improve the ornamental value of shrimp tanks.
What Do Red Cherry Shrimp Eat? FEEDING RED CHERRY SHRIMP THE BEST FOODS FOR COLOR, GROWTH AND EGGS!
Do cherry shrimp eat brine shrimp?
Cherry shrimp will eat Brine shrimp, but they prefer that you put dead ones in rather than live. So be sure to add a few from time to time just to keep your Cherry’s interested whenever it’s feeding time. As promised, below, you’ll find some of the most common questions that we receive when it comes to Cherry shrimp and their diets.
What do red cherry shrimp eat?
Feeding red cherry shrimp is relatively easy, as they are omnivorous creatures that will consume various foods. Here are some tips on providing red cherry shrimp: Red cherry shrimp are omnivores, requiring a diet that includes animal and plant matter. A good staple food for red cherry shrimp is shrimp pellets.
What can I feed cherry shrimp?
In addition to commercial shrimp food, consider offering your cherry shrimp natural food sources that mimic their diet in the wild. Options include blanched vegetables (such as spinach, zucchini, or cucumber), boiled leaves (like Indian almond leaves or oak leaves), and frozen or live foods (such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms).
Do cherry shrimp eat dead shrimp?
Cherry shrimp also eat dead shrimp, including cherry shrimp and brine shrimp. They also eat shrimp exoskeletons resulting from mottling. These contain vitamins and minerals (such as calcium) that make up for the nutrients lost during molting, providing shrimp with an extra boost of strength for the new exoskeleton.