does shrimp eat plankton

The Hidden Truth Do Shrimp Really Eat Plankton?

As an aquarium hobbyist, I’ve always been fascinated by shrimp and their eating habits. Recently I became curious whether one of their main food sources is actually plankton. I decided to do some research to uncover the truth.

What Exactly is Plankton?

For starters plankton refers to tiny marine organisms that float freely in ocean waters and other bodies of water. They drift along with the currents, unable to propel themselves independently. Plankton comes in two main varieties

• Phytoplankton – Microscopic plants like algae that can photosynthesize. They form the base of aquatic food chains.

• Zooplankton – Tiny protozoans, crustaceans, and other animals that feed on phytoplankton.

Together, phytoplankton and zooplankton support virtually all marine life either directly or indirectly. But given their tiny size, we can’t see them with the naked eye.

Do Shrimp Really Consume Plankton?

Now to address the main question – do shrimp actually eat plankton? The short answer is yes, shrimp do in fact eat both phytoplankton and zooplankton.

While invisible to us, shrimp can detect and consume plankton just fine in aquariums and the wild. Zooplankton provides shrimp with protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Phytoplankton offers nutrients like omega fats, zinc, magnesium, and more.

Plankton plays a key role in the diets and health of various shrimp species:

• Neocaridina – Red cherry shrimp, blue velvet shrimp, etc.

• Caridina – Crystal black shrimp, blue bolt shrimp.

• Amano shrimp

• Ghost shrimp

So shrimp certainly benefit from plankton as part of their varied diet. But plankton alone is insufficient. Let’s explore why.

The Limitations of an All-Plankton Diet

While plankton offers nutritional value, shrimp cannot survive on plankton alone for long. They require additional protein sources and vegetation for balanced nutrition.

An all-plankton diet would likely result in stunted growth, failed molting, and increased mortality after some time. It lacks the diversity shrimp need to thrive. Plus, selectively feeding on only plankton is unnatural for opportunistic shrimp.

So offer your shrimp quality flake/pellet foods, blanched veggies, algae wafers, and protein sources like blood worms. This will provide balanced nutrition. Plankton can complement the diet but should not replace other essential foods.

Cultivating Plankton in Your Aquarium

Growing phytoplankton in your aquarium is actually quite simple with basic supplies like:

• Container
• Air pump
• Light source
• Phytoplankton fertilizer

Just add water to the container along with fertilizer. Run the air pump to circulate the water. Expose the culture to sufficient lighting. Within a couple weeks, a phytoplankton bloom should develop!

Then you can use your cultured plankton to supplement your shrimp’s diet. But introduce plankton gradually and in moderation to prevent issues.

Potential Dangers of Excess Plankton

While plankton offers benefits, too much can potentially endanger shrimp. Some risks of plankton overgrowth include:

• Nighttime oxygen depletion – Excessive plankton respiring at night can rapidly lower oxygen.

• Ammonia spikes – Dead plankton decaying en masse releases ammonia.

• Altered water chemistry – Plankton boom/bust cycles can shift pH, hardness, etc.

So if culturing plankton as food, add no more than 1 cup at a time. Change ~20% of the water every few days to avoid rapid deterioration in water quality. Monitor parameters closely.

With prudent feeding, plankton can be a useful supplemental food source for shrimp. But it should not dominate the diet or ecosystem. Moderation is key.

Answering Common Shrimp Diet Questions

Beyond plankton, shrimp eat a diverse array of foods. Here are some other common shrimp diet questions:

Do shrimp eat algae?

Yes, most shrimp will readily graze on filamentous algae and other algal growth in the tank, especially when hungry. Algae eating is most pronounced in species like Amano shrimp. A healthy algae population contributes valuable nutrition for shrimp.

Do shrimp eat fish waste or dead fish?

Shrimp are opportunistic scavengers, so they will eat fish feces, uneaten fish food, and even dead fish. This beneficial scavenging helps clean the tank environment. Just be sure any dead fish are promptly removed after being eaten to prevent water fouling.

What vegetables can I feed shrimp?

Shrimp enjoy blanched vegetables like zucchini, cucumber, shelled peas, spinach, and kale. These provide added fiber and nutrients. Introduce new veggies gradually in case they cause digestive issues.