What to Feed Your Mantis Shrimp: A Complete Diet Guide for Your Pet

As an exotic pet owner, ensuring your mantis shrimp remains healthy and thriving is a top priority However, figuring out their nutritional needs can be tricky In the wild, mantis shrimp are aggressive predators that eat small fish, mollusks, and other crustaceans. Replicating their diverse diet in captivity takes some effort.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about constructing the ideal diet for your mantis shrimp From live foods to frozen options, nutritional requirements to feeding frequency, we’ll cover it all!

An Overview of Mantis Shrimp Dietary Needs

Mantis shrimp are carnivores that need high levels of animal protein in their diet. Their food should be rich in nutrients like:

• Protein for muscle growth and tissue repair
• Fats for energy and vitamin absorption
• Vitamins and minerals for proper body functioning
• Carotenoids for exoskeleton and eye health

They have powerful claws that allow them to crack open hard shells, so foods like small crabs, snails, and bivalves make great options. Variety is also key – rotating different protein sources ensures they get all the nutrients they need.

Live Food Options for Mantis Shrimp

In the wild, live prey makes up the majority of a mantis shrimp’s diet. Offering live foods is great enrichment and allows them to exhibit natural hunting behaviors. Some excellent live food choices include:

Small Fish and Fry

Small, quick fish mimic the shrimp and other fast-moving prey they would eat in the ocean. Good options include guppies, mollies, minnows, and freshwater shrimp. Make sure any feeder fish you choose are quarantined and disease-free.

Crustaceans

Small crabs, amphipods, isopods, and even brine shrimp are perfect prey. Crab legs and bodies are also great for mantis shrimp to crack open with their clubbed raptorial appendages. Introduce crabs slowly as too much shell can cause impactions.

Mollusks

Snails, mussels, and clams provide enrichment and nutrition. Be sure any shells are small enough for your mantis to handle. You can also remove the animal from the shell and offer the meat.

Worms

Blackworms, bloodworms, and tubifex worms move in exciting ways that will stimulate your pet’s predatory instincts. They also contain lots of protein and nutrients. Rinse well before feeding to remove debris.

When possible, gut load any live foods with vitamins and quality pellets for 24 hours before feeding out. This boosts their nutritional value. Introduce live foods slowly and monitor your mantis shrimp closely when eating to prevent injuries.

Frozen Foods for Supplementing Diet

In addition to live prey, frozen seafood can round out your mantis shrimp’s diet nicely. Thaw frozen items before feeding and mix up options regularly:

• Shrimp
• Squid
• Clams
• Mussels
• Scallops
• Krill
• Crab meat
• Lobster meat
• Fish filets like salmon and tilapia
• Mysis and brine shrimp

Look for frozen seafood without additives or preservatives. Soak in tank water before feeding to avoid temperature shock.

How Often and How Much to Feed Your Mantis Shrimp

Mantis shrimp are active predators with fast metabolisms. Juveniles need lots of nutrition to support quick growth. Adults also need ample fuel and nutrients. Here are some general feeding guidelines:

Juveniles

• Feed 2-3 times per day
• Provide as much as they can eat in 5 minutes up to 3 times daily
• Mix offerings of live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods

Adults

• Feed 1-2 times per day
• Offer food they can consume within 3 minutes twice a day
• Or provide a larger meal once daily they can eat in 5 minutes
• Mix live, frozen, commercial diets

Monitor weight and adjust amounts as needed. Remove uneaten food promptly to maintain water quality. As a general rule, mantis shrimp have voracious appetites – but be careful not to overfeed. Obesity and water fouling can result.

Commercial Diets and Supplements

While less ideal than whole foods, high-quality commercial diets can supplement the mantis shrimp diet. Look for formulas with 50% or more protein from marine sources. Soak pellets before feeding to prevent bloating. Some options include:

• Hikari Carnivore Pellets
• Omega One Marine Pellets
• New Life Spectrum Marine Formula

You can also gut load live foods with nutritional powdered supplements like:

• Vita-Chem Marine & Reef
• Selcon powdered vitamins

This further boosts the quality of any live foods you culture yourself.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Mantis Shrimp

Certain foods should be avoided when feeding mantis shrimp:

• Fatty meat like pork or beef
• Terrestrial plants and veggies
• Anything with added preservatives
• Dog or cat foods
• Anything too large for them to consume

Stick to ocean-based proteins and you can’t go wrong. Monitor their preferences and avoid any foods they don’t seem to accept or digest well.

Signs Your Mantis Shrimp Needs More Food

If your mantis shrimp displays any of these behaviors, it likely needs more frequent feedings or larger portions:

• Loss of color intensity
• Lethargic movements and loss of normal activity
• Difficulty molting properly
• Decline in growth rate for juveniles
• Aggressive behavior around feeding time

Increase food amounts slowly and watch closely for improvements. Unlikely most aquarium pets, it’s almost impossible to overfeed a healthy, active mantis shrimp.

Providing Proper Nutrition is Vital

Constructing the ideal diet for your mantis shrimp is crucial to their health and quality of life in captivity. Variety, quality, and proper portions of live and frozen foods will keep them nutritionally satisfied. Monitor growth and activity levels closely and make diet adjustments as needed.