Green algae are a problem that all aquarium and shrimp keepers have to deal with at some point. However, no fish or shrimp can completely get rid of an algae growth, and you shouldn’t use live animals to help you clean your tank. However, there are some algae-eating shrimp that can make the job easier.
Read on to learn more about why shrimp love algae so much and to see a list of three algae-eating top fish.
Almost all freshwater aquarium shrimp are naturally detrivores. This is a type of omnivore that will eat anything it can find. The things they eat naturally are mostly biofilm that forms on rocks and plants, dead fish and other meaty foods, and, of course, many kinds of algae. Specific diets vary between species. Some shrimp, like the popular ghost shrimp, are more avid scavengers while others specialize in algae and biofilm.
We already talked about how you can’t always skip the scrubbing when you have a shrimp cleaning crew. Algae are a structural problem caused by a nutrient imbalance. This means they wont disappear entirely unless you figure out what exactly is going on and fix it.
Check your lighting (are the lights on for too long?), plants (fast-growing plants can beat algae at getting nutrients), and water levels (too much nitrate and phosphate can make algae grow like crazy). Once those things are under control, your shrimp can help by eating any algae that comes up, which they do very well.
As an aquarium owner, you’ve likely dealt with some kind of algae in your tank at one point or another. Hair algae, in particular, can be a nuisance with its long strands that cling to plants and decor. While manually removing it works, you may wonder if adding ghost shrimp could help control it. So do ghost shrimp eat hair algae? Let’s find out!
An Overview of Ghost Shrimp
Ghost shrimp, also called glass shrimp, are a commonly kept freshwater shrimp species. Their scientific names are Palaemonetes paludosus and Palaemonetes kadiakensis. Native to North America, they are found in ponds, rivers, and streams.
In the home aquarium, ghost shrimp grow up to 2 inches long. They have a translucent body and are peaceful omnivores. Ghost shrimp are excellent tank cleaners that eat debris, algae, and biofilm. They are hardy, breed readily, and make great live food for larger fish.
What is Hair Algae?
Hair algae refers to a few different types of thin, thread-like algae that can rapidly take over an aquarium Common varieties include thread algae, hair algae, and fuzz algae It spreads quickly and attaches to hardscape, plants, and equipment with sticky holdfasts.
Excess nutrients like phosphate and nitrate encourage hair algae growth. It thrives under high light. Hair algae outcompetes plants and looks unsightly. Manual removal reducing light duration, adding fast-growing plants and controlling nutrients can treat it.
Do Ghost Shrimp Eat Hair Algae?
Yes, ghost shrimp readily eat hair algae if it is available in the tank! In the wild, algae forms a major part of their diet.
Being natural bottom dwellers, ghost shrimp will eat any hair algae they find growing on decor, substrate or plants near the tank floor. Their small claws allow them to grip and consume strands of hair algae.
Not only do they eat the live algae, but ghost shrimp will also consume any dead and decaying buildup of hair algae in the tank. Their scavenging appetite leads them to eat all sorts of debris.
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Ghost shrimp actively seek out and eat hair algae.
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They consume both living algae and dead/decaying buildup.
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Hair algae control is aided by their voracious appetites.
How Do Ghost Shrimp Eat Hair Algae?
Ghost shrimp have a few techniques for eating hair algae in the aquarium:
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Using their small claws and legs, ghost shrimp grip strands of hair algae and place them into their mouths.
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They use their mouthparts to scrape hair algae off surfaces like leaves, wood, and rocks.
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Older growth of hair algae gets a bacterial biofilm coating. Ghost shrimp graze on this nutritious layer.
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Once hair algae starts dying off, shrimp eat the soft decaying patches.
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Shed exoskeletons of shrimp can trap hair algae – shrimp then eat the algae-covered molts.
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Baby shrimp especially browse on hair algae due to their higher protein diet needs.
How Much Hair Algae Can Ghost Shrimp Eat?
Ghost shrimp are ravenous eaters of hair algae when given the chance. Some key facts about their hair algae consumption:
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A single ghost shrimp can eat strands of hair algae several times its own body size daily.
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Their appetite is larger when kept in groups – a shrimp colony can decimate hair algae.
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When first introduced, they tend to focus on hair algae before other food sources.
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Under ideal conditions, a population of ghost shrimp can nearly eliminate hair algae.
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But they likely won’t be able to fully eradicate an extensive infestation by themselves.
So while ghost shrimp eat copious amounts of hair algae, their appetite has limits. Relying solely on them to remove large algae growth is difficult. Reducing light levels, fertilization, and manual removal will be needed too. But shrimp certainly help!
Can Too Much Hair Algae Harm Ghost Shrimp?
Eating hair algae provides nutrition to ghost shrimp. However, excessive consumption does come with some risks:
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Their digestive system can become clogged with fibrous algae.
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Toxins from some algae species can accumulate and poison shrimp.
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Getting tangled in thick algae can restrict movement and trap shrimp.
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Algae can block breathing organs like gills when consumed in bulk.
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Decaying drifts of old algae growth can pollute water and harm shrimp.
The risks depend on the amounts eaten – a moderate quantity of hair algae will not hurt ghost shrimp. But engorging constantly on large volumes could be problematic. Variety in their diet is important.
What Else Do Ghost Shrimp Eat?
While ghost shrimp will feast on available hair algae, they should be fed a varied diet for good health:
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Algae wafers provide balanced nutrition and are readily eaten.
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Sinking shrimp pellets, flakes containing spirulina, and other prepared foods.
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Bits of vegetables like cucumber, zucchini, and spinach.
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Dead fish, insect larvae, and other meaty foods provide protein.
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Biofilm, algae, and aufwuchs already growing in the tank.
Avoid overfeeding protein-rich items, which can foul the water. Offering a diet with fiber, greens, and quality feeds will keep shrimp colorful and active. This also reduces hair algae overeating risks.
Cherry shrimp/Sakura shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Cherry shrimp are probably the most popular aquarium shrimp in the hobby. They are liked for their bright red color, ability to breed quickly, and ability to eat algae well. Like Amano shrimp, they will eat various types of algae – and they do it quickly. Cherries spend their entire day foraging, eating algae and biofilm wherever they can find them.
Just put at least ten cherry shrimp into your aquarium and wait. They will quickly multiply, making an army that eats more and more algae. Overcrowding wont be an issue, as these shrimp have a low bioload. Most aquariums can sustain dozens or even hundreds of them, as long as youre offering additional foods regularly. Do you think your colony is growing too quickly? If so, just sell or give away a few shrimp to another hobbyist.
You can buy cherry shrimp at The Shrimp Farm! Order your cherries here.
Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
The Amano shrimp is so good at eating algae that one of its common names is “algae-eating shrimp.” This species isn’t the most interesting to look at because its body is clear. Dont let that fool you, though. Its extremely popular due to being the go-to algae exterminator throughout the aquarium and aquascape hobbies.
Amano shrimp don’t have a favorite type of algae; they’ll eat almost any kind. The only types they usually don’t eat are black beard algae and cyanobacteria. About five of them should be enough to keep algae in tanks less than 20 gallons in check. Ten or more should work well for larger setups. Keep in mind that Amano shrimp colonies usually can’t live on algae alone, so you’ll need to give them extra food at least a few times a week. Pretty much anything works for this: high-end shrimp pellets, simple fish flakes or even some simple blanched peas. Amano shrimp will happily eat it all.
You can buy Amano shrimp at The Shrimp Farm! Order your aquarium cleaning crew here.
How YOU can get rid of Hair Algae NOW | One Minute Fish Tank
Do ghost shrimp eat hair algae?
Though most shrimp don’t seem to eat the hair algae, I’ve found that ghost shrimp often will. And if you want to try something really unusual, the tiny Gammarus crustaceans will also eat it. Mollies are often available at local fish stores, but the other fish may be hard to find.
Can ghost shrimp kill algae?
Ghost shrimp is an excellent addition to your community tank, which has small, peaceful fish. They can control your tank’s algae growth and clean up dead fish, dead plants, and any other thing that sinks to the bottom. However, you can’t wipe out algae infestation completely with ghost shrimp or any other algae eater.
Are ghost shrimp good for aquaculture?
Ghost shrimp are incredibly active, good for the health of your tank (because of the algae they eat ), and are easy to breed. Thus, the role that the shrimp play in the world of aquaculture is a big one! Ghost shrimp (palaemonetes paludosus) are sometimes also called Glass Shrimp.
How often do ghost shrimp eat algae wafers?
An average tank with a group of four ghost shrimp will need feeding 1 algae wafer every other day. You can substitute out the algae wafers for other foods of your choosing, giving them access to other nutrients. As scavengers, they don’t need a strict feeding routine. They’ll wander around the tank until they come across the food.