How Often Should You Feed Cherry Shrimp? The Complete Guide

As an avid aquarist and cherry shrimp enthusiast, I often get asked how often to feed these adorable little crustaceans. Cherry shrimp are such fun and easy pets to keep, but their diet and feeding schedule can seem confusing to new aquarium owners. In this complete guide, I’ll share my tips and tricks for feeding cherry shrimp to help them thrive.

Overview on Cherry Shrimp Diet

Cherry shrimp are omnivorous scavengers in nature, meaning they’ll eat both plant and animal matter. Their main food sources in the aquarium are:

• Algae – they’ll graze on soft brown and green algae.
• Biofilm – a coating of microorganisms on surfaces that shrimp eat.
• Supplemental foods – things like shrimp pellets, vegetables, bloodworms provide protein and nutrients.

Shrimp are constantly grazing and searching for food particles on surfaces. They act as tiny tank cleaners which is why people love having them! But don’t rely solely on algae and biofilm to feed them. Supplements are needed too.

How Often Should You Feed Cherry Shrimp?

There’s some debate on whether you need to actively feed cherry shrimp at all. Some people say just letting them graze on algae and biofilm is enough. But I don’t recommend that approach. Here’s why:

• Algae and biofilm alone can lead to nutrient deficiencies in shrimp. They need protein and vitamins found in supplements.
• Not feeding leads to less vibrant color, slower growth, and shorter lifespan.
• Actively feeding allows you to monitor shrimp health and behavior.

So how often should you actually feed them? Here are my general recommendations:

• In mature, established tanks – Feed every other day or 2-3 times per week. There’s plenty of algae/biofilm here for grazing.

• In new tanks – Feed small amounts daily Not enough natural food grown in yet

• With lots of shrimp – Up feeding to daily, even in established tanks. More shrimp means more competition for food.

• With baby shrimp – Feed powdered supplements like spirulina daily to promote growth

The specific frequency depends on your tank conditions and shrimp population. But as a general rule, I recommend feeding adult cherry shrimp 2-3 times per week minimum. Spread feedings out to prevent water fouling. Next I’ll go over the best foods to offer.

Best Foods for Cherry Shrimp

There are lots of great supplemental foods to feed your cherry shrimp, both commercial and natural options. Here are some of my favorites:

• Shrimp pellets – Get an invertebrate formula for balanced nutrition. Soak first to soften.

• Algae wafers – Spirulina and other algae compressed into wafers. Sink and crumble for shrimp.

• Broccoli – Blanch first to soften. Has vitamins C, K, and A that shrimp need.

• Spinach – Blanch and chop up leaves. High in calcium, iron, and protein.

• Zuccini slices – Offer raw, sinking pieces for shrimp to nibble on.

• Shelled peas – Thaw frozen peas and take off shells for shrimp to eat insides.

• Bloodworms – Rinse frozen cubes to remove excess protein/fat. Great treat!

• Crab/lobster bits – Boil shells to sanitize and soften meat for easy eating.

Variety is important to cover all nutrient needs. Don’t just stick to one food item. I recommend alternating between 3-4 different foods over the week.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Cherry Shrimp

Some foods are not suitable options for cherry shrimp. Here are some to avoid:

• Flakes – Too light and messy. Sinks slowly and fouls water.

• Raw veggies – Too tough to eat. Must blanch or boil first to soften.

• Fish food – Formulated for fish, not invertebrates. Lacks nutrients shrimp need.

• Mammalian meats – Risk of disease transfer. Shrimp can’t break it down either.

• Dog/cat food – Filler ingredients and protein sources unsafe for shrimp.

• Citrus fruits – Too acidic for shrimp digestion.

Basically avoid anything too large or tough for shrimp to eat. Also don’t feed mammalian meats. For vegetables and fruits, blanch first. And stick to invertebrate formulated foods to prevent nutrition issues.

Feeding Baby Cherry Shrimp

Young juvenile cherry shrimp have specialized feeding needs. Here are some tips:

• Feed 3-4 times daily to promote growth and survival.

• Powder any pellets or wafers into a fine crumb before feeding.

• Grind up blanched spinach/broccoli into tiny bits.

• Offer powered spirulina algae frequently for nutrition.

• Include high protein options like boiled egg yolk or crushed crab shells.

Target foods no larger than the tiny mouth size of babies. Frequent small meals are key until they mature. Keep babies separated so they don’t have to compete with adults for food.

Signs of Overfeeding Cherry Shrimp

It’s easy to overfeed your shrimp without realizing it. Here are some signs:

• Leftover food accumulating on surfaces and substrate.

• Shrimp losing interest in food you offer.

• Live plants declining from excess nutrients.

• Spike in nitrates/waste materials.

• Shrimp appearing lethargic or loss of appetite.

Do frequent partial water changes if you notice these issues to get back on track. Then, cut back on feeding frequency and amount. Only feed what shrimp can consume in a few hours before removing uneaten food.