Fairy shrimp are larger crustaceans that move slowly. They live in vernal pools, which are small, shallow ponds in forests that get their water from melting snow, rain, or groundwater but dry up at certain times of the year.
Depends on how long the vernal pool remains wet; generally, half a month to six months
Fairy shrimp are between 0. 10 pairs of leg-like appendages called phyllopods that they use for swimming. They are between 5 and 2 inches long. They swim slowly and belly-side up. Their diet affects their color—they are most often orange, but may also be white, blue or green. Females have smaller heads than the males.
Fairy shrimp are filter-feeders that scrape food off the bottom of their vernal pools. They eat algae, flatworm eggs and Arcella—a type of amoeba that have holes through their centers.
Predatory fish do not live in vernal pools, which make them a safe habitat for fairy shrimp. Birds, frogs, salamanders and insect larvae eat species of fairy shrimp.
Fairy shrimp are truly captivating little creatures Their delicate and elegant appearance coupled with their unique life cycles make them a joy to observe in any home aquarium However, keeping fairy shrimp healthy and thriving does require an understanding of their dietary needs. So what do these fascinating critters eat? Read on for a complete guide to fairy shrimp nutrition.
An Overview of Fairy Shrimp and Their Natural Habitats
Before diving into fairy shrimp diets, it’s helpful to understand a bit about their natural habitats and lifestyles. Fairy shrimp belong to the crustacean family and are found in temporary pools of fresh water such as vernal pools, mud puddles, and dried lake beds
These habitats fill with water during rainy seasons but may dry up completely at other times. As a result, fairy shrimp have adapted short 2-4 month life cycles to hatch, mature, reproduce and lay dormant eggs before their ephemeral pools disappear.
With no permanent streams or filters, the water in these pools is generally still and stagnant. The water conditions can also vary from location to location – some species tolerate brackish water while others need very specific freshwater environments.
What Do Fairy Shrimp Eat in the Wild?
In their natural habitats, fairy shrimp are filter feeders. They use their phyllopod appendages to swim upside down, gently scraping food particles from the water. Their diets consist primarily of:
- Algae
- Bacteria
- Microscopic protozoans
- Rotifers
- Microscopic eggs and larvae
- Decaying organic material
Essentially, fairy shrimp are tiny vacuum cleaners, indiscriminately straining their surroundings for any edible micronutrients.
Feeding Fairy Shrimp in Captivity
Replicating the natural diets of fairy shrimp in an aquarium setting requires some creativity. Commercial fish foods would be too large and coarse for these delicate critters. Instead, home aquarists have crafted some ingenious recipes to nourish captive fairy shrimp.
The Yeast Solution
The most popular fairy shrimp food is commonly called the “yeast solution”. To make it:
- Mix 1 packet of dried yeast (brewer’s or baker’s)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- Pinch of crushed tropical fish flakes
- 1/3 cup hot spring water
Let the mixture sit for an hour before feeding. The yeast ferments with the sugar, creating a nutritious bacterial “soup” that resembles the microorganisms fairy shrimp eat in the wild.
To feed the shrimp, use an eye-dropper to release a few drops of yeast solution into the tank. The water should become slightly cloudy but still transparent. Overfeeding can pollute the water, so stop adding food if the tank becomes opaque.
Rice Bran
Some aquarists also have success feeding fairy shrimp rice bran. To prepare, simply stir a small spoonful of rice bran into tank water until it forms a faint, cloudy solution. The high protein and fiber content of rice bran provides excellent nutrition.
Powdered Spirulina and Chlorella
Spirulina and chlorella are nutrient-dense microalgaes commonly used in fish farming. Their high protein levels also make them an ideal fairy shrimp food.
Purchase spirulina and chlorella powder and mix small amounts into tank water to create a cloudy suspension. Use an eye-dropper to release the mixture into the tank, taking care not to overfeed.
Avoid Overfeeding!
No matter the food source – yeast, rice bran or algae – overfeeding can be lethal for fairy shrimp. Excess food pollutes the water, encouraging dangerous fungal and bacterial growth.
Monitor tank clarity carefully and avoid feeding if water becomes opaque. Fairy shrimp have very limited digestive systems, so they don’t need to be fed daily. Offer food every 2-3 days, in conservative amounts.
Key Considerations for Feeding Fairy Shrimp
- Use spring or distilled water – tap water contains chemicals like chlorine that can kill fairy shrimp
- Crush fish flakes into a fine powder to avoid particles that are too large
- Allow yeast solution to ferment 1+ hours before feeding for maximum nutrition
- Alternate between yeast, rice bran and algae to provide varied nutrients
- Feed conservatively every 2-3 days; 1-2 drops of food per inch of tank water
- Stop feeding if water becomes cloudy; wait for tank to clear before resuming
- Siphon excess debris from tank bottom to maintain clean water
Signs of a Well-Fed Fairy Shrimp Colony:
- Shrimp are actively swimming and filtering
- Bright, vivid body colors
- Occasional tiny eggs visible in tank (sign of breeding)
- Water slightly hazy but still transparent after feeding
- Minimal buildup of debris/mulm in tank
Troubleshooting Fairy Shrimp Nutrition
Cloudy Water
- Stop feeding and perform partial water change
- Use turkey baster to remove mulm from tank bottom
- Resume conservative feeding once tank clears
Lethargic Shrimp
- Test water parameters – ammonia, nitrite, pH
- Perform partial water change with remineralized RO water
- Check water temperature – should be 60-80°F
- Feed yeast solution to provide micronutrients
Shrimp Dying Rapidly
- Test water for ammonia, nitrites, copper
- Check water temperature – fluctuations can shock shrimp
- Perform substantial water change (50%+)
- Use activated carbon in filter to absorb impurities
Shrimp Eating Each Other
- Tank is overcrowded – reduce population
- Underfeeding – increase nutrition
- Check water parameters – toxicity causes odd behavior
Fairy shrimp may be tiny, but they have very specific nutritional requirements. With a proper understanding of their natural diets and prudent feeding techniques, these captivating creatures can thrive in home aquariums.
It does require vigilance – fairy shrimp are sensitive to water conditions, and overfeeding can wipe out a tank within days. But the reward of observing a healthy, active colony is well worth the effort.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Fairy shrimp generally mate between April and May. Males die shortly after mating, while the females live until the pool dries up. The eggs are released into the water and remain dormant throughout the dry season. Once the pool fills with water again—often October or November—the eggs hatch. As they grow, the larvae go through different molts and gain body segments. By the time they are adults, they have 20 segments.
- E. vernalis is a species of fairy shrimp that is sometimes called the eastern, springtime, or vernal fairy shrimp.
- Fairy shrimp are related to brine shrimp, which are often sold as Sea Monkeys.
- Wildlife or the wind can move dormant eggs in dry vernal pools, but once they hatch, fairy shrimp stay in the same pool their whole lives.
Raising Fairy Shrimps to adulthood
What do fairy shrimp eat?
Feeding fairy shrimp is an interesting task, as their diet is quite different from most aquarium pets. In the wild, fairy shrimps are filter feeders, straining tiny particles like bacteria, algae, and spores out of the water. In captivity, you can feed them a homemade mixture, often referred to as “yeast soup.”
Do fairy shrimp eat rotifers?
Fairy shrimp are small crustaceans that thrive in temporary water bodies, like vernal pools. To create a suitable environment for these pets: Fairy shrimp can adapt to a variety of water conditions, but certain parameters must be maintained: In the wild, fairy shrimp mostly feed on algae, bacteria, and microorganisms like rotifers.
Do fairy shrimp eat plankton?
This fairy shrimp is one of many species specialized for a short life cycle in seasonal ponds called vernal pools. Each winter, during the rainy season, dry depressions fill up with water and the fairy shrimp hatch. They grow to maturity over several weeks, eating algae and plankton.
Can fairy shrimp eat tap water?
Tap water can contain chlorine and other chemicals that are harmful to fairy shrimp, so it’s best avoided unless you have a way to treat it with a dechlorinator or use RO water and a buffer. Regularly topping off the water to replace evaporation will help maintain a consistent water level. Lighting is also worth considering.