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.
If you’ve dealt with unsightly brown algae in your aquarium, you may be wondering if shrimp can help get it under control. Certain species are known for munching on various types of algae, making them a natural cleaning crew. But can they effectively devour brown algae too?
In this article, we’ll dig into:
- What brown algae is and what causes it
- Which shrimp species eat brown algae
- Other efficient brown algae eaters
- Ways to prevent brown algae from taking over
- Additional shrimp diet and feeding tips
So let’s dive right in and find out if your shrimp can conquer brown algae!
What Is Brown Algae?
Brown algae, also known by the scientific name diatoms, are single-celled microscopic organisms that can cover aquarium surfaces in a dusty brown film. Diatoms thrive in new tanks going through the nitrogen cycle, deriving nutrients from the excess silicates, phosphates, and nitrates in the water.
Some of the most common places to find brown algae are on the glass, decor, substrate, and slow growing plant leaves. It can quickly spread and form thick visible layers. Excessive diatom blooms usually go away on their own after a tank matures, but manual removal and reducing nutrients can speed up the process.
Do Shrimp Eat Brown Algae?
Many popular aquarium shrimp will readily consume various types of algaes, including brown diatoms. Here are some of the top shrimp that can be used as part of a clean up crew targeting brown algae:
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Amano shrimp – Efficient workhorses that will devour most types of algae. These voracious eaters are revered for controlling difficult algae like diatoms.
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Cherry shrimp – These easy-to-keep red shrimp will happily munch away on brown algae films and other debris as they constantly forage for food
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Ghost shrimp – Effective scavengers that will eat some brown algae in addition to other organic matter and aufwuchs.
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Bamboo shrimp – With their fan-like filter feeding appendages, these shrimp can strain and ingest floating brown algae particles from the water column.
While no shrimp can fully eliminate brown algae on their own, keeping a cleanup crew of 5-10 of the above shrimps can help control diatom growth and speed up tank maturity. Just be sure to supplement their diet with protein-rich foods like shrimp pellets, blanched veggies, algae wafers, etc.
Other Helpful Brown Algae Eaters
In addition to shrimp here are some other fish and inverts that may nibble on brown algae
- Otocinclus catfish
- Nerite snails
- Siamese algae eaters
- Bristlenose plecos
- Rabbit snails
- Malaysian trumpet snails
Combining a few shrimp with other efficient algae eaters makes for a well-rounded clean up crew that can tackle brown diatoms from all angles. Focus especially on algae-loving fish and inverts that inhabit different parts of the tank.
Preventing Brown Algae in Aquariums
While shrimp and other algae eaters help manage the symptoms, fixing the underlying cause is key to avoiding excessive brown algae growth. Here are some tips:
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Avoid overfeeding and remove uneaten food promptly to reduce excess nutrients.
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Reduce lighting duration to 6-8 hours per day.
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Perform regular water changes and gravel vacuuming to remove waste and replenish minerals.
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Use activated carbon or chemical media like PhosGuard to absorb silicates and phosphates in the water column.
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Add fast growing stem plants which can outcompete algae for nutrients. Floating plants also help block light.
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Use an algae scraper, soft sponge or paper towel to manually wipe off and remove as much brown algae as possible from surfaces.
By tackling the root problems and enlisting algae eating species, you can bring brown algae growth under control. Be patient, as it takes time for a new tank to achieve balance.
Additional Feeding Tips for Shrimp
While shrimp will welcome brown algae as a supplementary food source, they can’t survive on diatoms alone. Here are some general feeding guidelines:
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Feed sinking shrimp pellets, blanched veggies, or algae wafers 1-2 times per day. Vary their diet for complete nutrition.
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Avoid overfeeding. Remove uneaten food within a few hours to prevent fouling the water.
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For more natural grazing, use mineral rocks, cholla wood, alder cones, and Indian almond leaves.
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Calcium-rich foods like spinach, kale and calcium supplements promote a healthy molting process.
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Offer a thin slice of zucchini, cucumber, or shelled peas 1-2 times per week for variety.
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Fast your shrimp for 1 day per week to allow their digestive system to rest.
Following these tips in addition to enlisting shrimp as part of your clean up crew will lead to a healthier, algae-free aquarium environment. Consistency is key for long term control.
Can Shrimp Completely Eradicate Brown Algae?
While shrimp can’t wipe out brown algae entirely on their own, they certainly do help keep it in check through consistent grazing. Combining a clean up crew of efficient shrimp and algae eating fish with reduced lighting, more plants, and improved maintenance practices can bring diatom blooms under control.
But the key is addressing the underlying issues causing the brown algae explosion in the first place, rather than relying solely on shrimp or other tank inhabitants to solve the problem. Preparation and prevention are always more effective than scrambling for a cure later.
So be strategic when incorporating shrimp into your aquarium maintenance routine. Focus on the root causes of algae first, then let your clean up crew handle the rest! With patience and persistence, your tank will achieve that pristine, algae-free look.
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.
Do Red Cherry Shrimp Eat Algae? (Black Beard, Hair, Green, Staghorn, Brown Diatom Algae)
Do shrimp eat algae?
For shrimp, eating algae provides them with essential nutrients for daily activities and long-term survival. It also helps them build their immunity to diseases, allowing them to live longer. The best Algae eaters are the Amano shrimp. For a good reason, the Amano shrimp, or Caridina japonica, is also known as the “Algae Eating Shrimp.”
Do Amano shrimp eat algae?
The Amano shrimp is such an effective algae eater that one of its common names is actually “algae eating shrimp”! With its transparent body, this species is not the most exciting to look at. Don’t let that fool you, though. It’s extremely popular due to being the go-to algae exterminator throughout the aquarium and aquascape hobbies.
Can shrimp eat blue green algae?
Blue-Green Algae: Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are a type of bacteria that can grow in both freshwater and saltwater environments. While some species of blue-green algae can be toxic, many species are a common food source for shrimp.
Do cherry shrimp eat algae?
While cherry shrimp can eat algae, they’re not the most aggressive eaters. While eating green, brown, and soft algae, they’ll stay away from blue-green algae and staghorn algae. Hair algae is also an important food source for your cherry shrimp. Cherry shrimp will also eat any other food that they can find.