Do Ghost Shrimp Eat Fish Poop? The Surprising Truth

Ghost shrimp are a popular freshwater shrimp species kept by aquarists They are valued for their algae-eating abilities and their role as tank cleaners, But some aquarists have noticed their ghost shrimp eating something else in the tank – fish poop! So do ghost shrimp really eat fish poop? Let’s find out

An Overview of Ghost Shrimp

Ghost shrimp also known as glass shrimp, are a species of freshwater shrimp native to North America. Some of the most common types kept in home aquariums include the ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus) and the grass shrimp (Palaemonetes kadiakensis).

Ghost shrimp have a translucent body and grow up to 2 inches long. They are omnivorous bottom feeders that eat algae, plant matter, insect larvae, and dead animals. Their natural habitat is streams, ponds, and rivers with vegetation.

In the aquarium, ghost shrimp help eat algae, clean up debris, and serve as live food for larger fish. They are very hardy, undemanding, and breed readily in captivity. Their low cost and peaceful nature make them a popular choice for community tanks.

Do Ghost Shrimp Really Eat Fish Poop?

Now coming to the crux of the matter – do ghost shrimp eat fish poop? Well, the simple answer is yes, they do eat fish poop if they find it.

Ghost shrimp are scavengers by nature. In the wild, they will eat just about anything organic they can find, including feces. The same behavior continues in the aquarium.

Numerous aquarists have witnessed ghost shrimp directly consuming fresh fish poop and picking at older, decaying poop. They use their small claws and mouthparts to grab and eat the poop.

However, fish poop does not make up a major part of their diet. Ghost shrimp prefer other foods like algae and prepared foods over poop. They will eat fish waste more out of opportunity than active preference.

• Ghost shrimp do eat fresh and decaying fish poop if they find it.

• They don’t seek out poop but will consume it opportunistically.

• Fish waste only makes up a small part of their overall diet. They prefer algae and other foods.

Why Do Ghost Shrimp Eat Fish Poop?

This brings up the next question – why do ghost shrimp eat fish poop at all? Here are some reasons why:

• Scavenging nature: As scavengers, ghost shrimp will eat whatever organic matter they can find. This includes poop.

• Source of nutrition: Fish poop contains proteins, fats, and undigested nutrients that shrimp can absorb.

• Biofilm: Older poop develops a nutritious biofilm coating that shrimp graze on.

• Confusion with food: Shrimp may accidentally pick up poop thinking it’s an edible particle.

• Tank cleaning: Eating poop helps clean up the tank bottom to some extent.

So while shrimp don’t seek out poop, their scavenging instincts, nutrition, and tank cleaning drive them to eat fish waste opportunistically.

Is Fish Poop Good For Ghost Shrimp?

While ghost shrimp do consume some fish waste, is this actually good for them? Or does poop pose any risks?

The answer is that in moderation, fish poop is generally not harmful for ghost shrimp. But there are some caveats:

• Nutrition: Poop contains proteins, fats, and minerals that provide some nutritional value. But it lacks other nutrients shrimp need.

• Ammonia: Fish poop is high in ammonia. Too much can be toxic and harm shrimp health.

• Parasites: Poop may transmit parasites like flukes and intestinal worms to shrimp.

• Pollution: Excess poop can foul water quality and lead to illness in shrimp.

So in small amounts, ghost shrimp can eat fish poop safely. But relying on it as a food source can be problematic due to ammonia, parasites, and pollution issues. It should never completely replace a proper shrimp diet.

What Do Ghost Shrimp Eat?

While ghost shrimp are opportunistic eaters, there are better foods you can offer them. Here are some healthy options:

• Algae: Algae like diatoms and biofilm are a major part of their natural diet.

• Vegetation: They eat decaying leaves, stems and roots. Live plants can also be grazed on.

• Algae wafers: These prepared wafers are a nutritious ghost shrimp food.

• Sinking pellets/flakes: High-quality sinking shrimp pellets and flakes provide balanced nutrition.

• Fruits/vegetables: Bits of produce like cucumber, zucchini and spinach are readily accepted.

• Protein foods: Brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms and shrimp pellets provide protein.

A varied shrimp diet will ensure good health, nutrition and proper growth. This makes fish poop less appealing to them.

To summarize – ghost shrimp do eat fish poop opportunistically thanks to their scavenging behavior. The small amounts of waste they consume are generally not harmful. However, poop is nutritionally incomplete and carries some risks. It should never make up the bulk of their diet. For good shrimp health, provide a varied diet with algae, quality foods and produce. This will reduce their interest in fish poop as food. With some care in diet and tank maintenance, your ghost shrimp will thrive without relying on feces!