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.
Algae blooms are the bane of many aquarium owners. That lush green hair algae enveloping your tank decor can quickly turn your underwater oasis into an eyesore. As you wage war against algae, you may wonder – do shrimp eat hair algae? Could these popular crustaceans be the natural solution you seek?
Shrimp have a reputation as some of the best algae eaters around. But do all species readily munch on pesky hair algae? Let’s delve deeper into shrimp anatomy, feeding habits and their ability to curb your algae troubles.
Over 2,000 shrimp species exist, inhabiting freshwater and marine environments. Most are omnivores, feeding on algae, plants, small invertebrates and detritus Their diet can vary based on species, life stage and food availability.
Algae also comes in diverse forms. Hair algae features long tendrils that cling to surfaces. Other common aquarium algae include green spot algae, diatoms and blue-green algae Excessive growth typically indicates an imbalance in tank conditions
So how do shrimp interact with hair and other algae? Do they purposely consume it? Let’s analyze the evidence
Do Shrimp Intentionally Target Hair Algae?
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Limited research: Scientific studies on shrimp algae consumption are limited. Claims of shrimp intentionally targeting hair algae are largely anecdotal. Their actual dietary motivations remain inconclusive.
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Opportunistic feeding: Shrimp are natural scavengers, not targeted algae eliminators. They opportunistically graze on available food sources, including aufwuchs.
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Surface grazing: Shrimp pick at algae covered surfaces but don’t directly ingest strands. Consumption happens indirectly while scraping.
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Prefer softer foods: Shrimp favor soft, nutritious algal films over fibrous hair algae. Their jaws are adapted for grazing, not chewing tough strands.
So while shrimp may incidentally ingest hair algae during surface grazing, they likely don’t seek it out as a desirable food source.
Do All Shrimp Species Eat Hair Algae?
Shrimp species vary in their taste and ability to consume hair algae:
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Amano shrimp – Eager hair algae eaters. Their larger size and jaws allow them to ingest strands.
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Ghost shrimp – Decent hair algae grazers. Their smaller mouths limit consumption.
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Bamboo shrimp – Ineffective hair algae eaters. They filter fine particles using fan-like appendages.
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Vampire shrimp – Do not eat hair algae. Carnivores that prefer animal protein.
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Cherry shrimp – Graze surfaces with hair algae but don’t directly eat strands.
So species like Amano and ghost shrimp contribute somewhat to hair algae control. But no shrimp reliably eliminates substantial growth.
Using Shrimp for Algae Control
While shrimp alone won’t wipe out heavy algal growth, they can help maintain balance alongside other tactics:
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Reduce lighting – Limit light duration and intensity to slow algae growth
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Add plants – Compete with algae for nutrients and provide shade
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Control nutrients – Limit excess nutrients that feed algae
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Supplement food – Provide protein-rich foods to reduce grazing pressure
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Use algae eaters – Combine shrimp with fish like Siamese algae eaters
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Manual removal – Physically wipe away excess algal growth
With persistence and a multifaceted approach, you can keep hair algae and other growth in check. Shrimp can be a helpful piece of your algae control strategy.
Caring for Shrimp in Your Aquarium
To keep shrimp healthy while harnessing their algae grazing abilities, provide:
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A cycled, mature tank
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Stable, high-quality water parameters
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Gentle water flow and ample oxygen
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Hiding spots among plants and décor
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A varied diet including vegetables and quality foods
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Tank mates that won’t prey on shrimp like betta fish
By mimicking their natural habitat, your shrimp will thrive while contributing to algae control.
FAQs About Shrimp and Algae
Q: Why is hair algae growing in my tank?
A: Factors like excess light, nutrients and poor water flow can cause hair algae overgrowth. An imbalance between these factors and your tank’s bioload facilitates rapid algal growth.
Q: How can I get rid of hair algae naturally?
A: Reduce lighting, manually remove algae, add algae-eating fish and shrimp, supplement nutrients, and improve water circulation to control hair algae.
Q: What fish eat hair algae?
A: Some effective hair algae-eating fish include American flagfish, Siamese algae eaters, flying fox fish, twig catfish and some plecos. Avoid common plecos who may eat plants.
Q: Are snails or shrimp better for eating algae?
A: For hair algae, shrimp like Amanos are generally more effective, while snails like nerites target other growths. Using both can provide comprehensive algae control.
Q: How many shrimp should I add to my tank?
A: Start with 1-2 shrimp per gallon. Add more gradually over time as the population grows. Avoid overstocking as shrimp are sensitive to poor water quality.
Q: Can I feed shrimp specialized foods?
A: Yes, supplement their diet with nutritious foods like shrimp pellets, algae wafers and blanched vegetables for balanced nutrition. This supports health and reduces grazing pressure.
Conclusion
While shrimp enjoy nibbling on algae coating surfaces, hair algae is not a preferred food source. Species like Amanos that can directly ingest strands contribute most to hair algae control. However, relying solely on shrimp to remove substantial algal growth often yields disappointing results.
A multifaceted approach that includes optimizing tank conditions, manual removal, algae-eating fish and invertebrates is needed to conquer algae. Shrimp can play a supportive role in this effort, but should not be the only weapon in your arsenal against hair and other stubborn algal growths.
By understanding shrimp dietary preferences
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.