What to Feed Neocaridina Shrimp: The Ultimate Diet Guide

Neocaridina shrimp commonly known as cherry shrimp, are a popular freshwater aquarium shrimp species. Their vibrant colors and relative ease of care make them a favorite for shrimp hobbyists. However, providing proper nutrition through a varied diet is key to keeping your shrimp healthy and thriving. In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the dietary needs of neocaridina shrimp and the best foods to include in their diet.

Understanding the Dietary Needs of Neocaridina Shrimp

In the wild, neocaridina shrimp are omnivorous scavengers that feed on decaying plant matter, algae, microorganisms and occasional small invertebrates. This gives them a varied nutritional requirement in captivity including:

• Protein: Required for growth and breeding. Best sources are foods like shrimp pellets, bloodworms and brine shrimp.

• Fiber Needed for proper digestion Obtained from vegetables, algae and plant matter.

• Calcium: Vital for molting. Found in calcium-rich foods like shrimp pellets and blanched vegetables.

• Carotenoids Enhances color. Found in spirulina and shrimp pellets with color enhancing additives

• Other Vitamins and Minerals: Required in trace amounts and found in most prepared shrimp foods.

Providing a balanced diet with variety is key to shrimp health. Let’s look at the best food options to feed your neocaridina shrimp.

The Best Foods for Neocaridina Shrimp

Here are the top foods to include in your neocaridina shrimp diet:

1. Specialized Shrimp Pellets

• High quality shrimp pellets like Hikari Shrimp Cuisine are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of freshwater shrimp. They contain protein, fiber, calcium, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids for optimal health.

• Look for shrimp pellets with a high vegetable matter and fiber content. This provides necessary roughage for digestion.

• Sinking pellets are ideal as they allow the shrimp to graze on them from the tank bottom.

• Feed 1-2 pellets per shrimp, 1-2 times daily. Varying pellet size for adults and juveniles is recommended.

2. Vegetables

• Blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, kale, carrots and green beans provide fiber and calcium.

• Blanching softens the vegetables so they sink and are easily eaten by the shrimp.

• Feed a few veggie pieces 2-3 times a week. Remove uneaten portions to avoid fouling the water.

• Spinach and kale are great for breeding shrimp due to high calcium content. Carrots enhance red coloration.

3. Algae and Biofilm

• Allowing controlled algae growth and maintaining biofilm in the tank provides natural grazing food for the shrimp.

• Supplementing the diet with algae wafers also adds valuable fiber and nutrients.

• Indian Almond Leaves release tannins and promote biofilm growth which shrimp graze on constantly.

4. Live and Frozen Foods

• Live or frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops and other microworms provide protein and variety.

• Feed live foods 1-2 times per week in a separate feeding dish. Remove uneaten food to avoid water fouling.

• These are especially important for breeding and molting shrimp which have higher protein requirements.

5. Gel Foods

• Gel foods like Repashy Soilent Green are conveniently eaten by shrimp over 24 hours.

• They provide balanced nutrition including amino acids, trace elements, vitamins, and minerals.

• The soft texture also allows baby shrimp to eat, making them ideal for a breeding colony.

6. Shrimp Grazing Sticks

• Grazing sticks like Shrimp King Grazing Sticks provide longer-lasting nutrition.

• These nutritionally balanced sticks allow shrimp to nibble as needed, preventing overfeeding.

• Using sticks in addition to other foods provides variation in diet.

Feeding Schedule for Neocaridina Shrimp

Follow this general feeding schedule for neocaridina shrimp:

• Twice Daily: Feed 1-2 shrimp pellets or a pinch of other prepared food in the morning and evening. Vary diet daily.

• 2-3 Times Per Week: Offer blanched veggies, grazing sticks or gel foods for supplemental nutrition.

• 1-2 Times Per Week: Provide live/frozen foods for added protein. Limit portion to what is eaten in a few hours.

• Daily: Allow natural grazing on biofilm, algae and leaves. Do not remove all algae growth.

• As Needed: Replace old leaves or algae wafers to replenish natural grazing food sources.

The key is providing a varied shrimp diet high in fiber and nutrients. Overfeeding protein-rich live foods should be avoided. Fasting 1-2 days per week helps prevent water fouling as well. Adjust amounts based on shrimp population and the presence of tank mates.

Other Feeding Tips for Neocaridina Shrimp

Here are some additional feeding tips for neocaridina shrimp:

• Crush shrimp pellets, flakes or wafers for newly hatched baby shrimp. They can also eat powdered gel foods.

• Use feeding dishes for live, frozen or veggie foods to prevent leftovers from fouling the tank.

• If using sinking wafers or pellets, spread them out to prevent aggression at feeding time.

• Observe if the shrimp actively seek out certain foods and adjust the diet accordingly.

• Fast 1-2 days per week for mature tanks. This gives time to consume excess food and helps water quality.

• Test new foods with a few shrimp first to observe palatability. Then introduce to the main tank gradually.

• Avoid overfeeding protein-rich live or frozen foods to prevent bacterial bloom and ammonia spikes.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Neocaridina Shrimp

While neocaridina shrimp are not that picky, there are some foods that should be avoided:

• Flake fish food has little nutritional value and can foul water quickly.

• Mammalian meats like beef, chicken etc. are difficult to digest and pollute the water.

• Copper-rich foods like marine fish pellets can potentially harm and even kill shrimp. Always check food labels.

• Overfeeding any live or frozen protein foods promotes bacterial overgrowth.

• Uneaten raw vegetables can decompose and ruin water parameters. Always blanch and remove excess portions.

• Limit high starch vegetables like peas and corn that can cause bacterial spikes when uneaten.

Feeding a balanced, varied diet is vital for keeping your neocaridina shrimp colony healthy and vibrant. Use a mix of prepared shrimp foods, vegetables, natural grazing and supplemental live and frozen options. Pay close attention to their dietary preferences and adjust the feeding routine accordingly. With proper, nutritious feeding, your shrimp will thrive, breed and display the stunning colors they are prized for in the aquarium hobby.