Freshwater shrimp are among the easiest animals to overfeed — in an established tank they graze biofilm and algae all day and need surprisingly little added food. But the right supplementary foods keep a cherry shrimp or Amano shrimp colony colourful, healthy and breeding. This UK guide covers the best shrimp foods in 2026.
Here are our picks and how much to feed.
- Shrimp are easy to overfeed — a mature tank supplies most of their food through biofilm and algae.
- Feed a small amount only two or three times a week.
- Biofilm powders like Bacter AE are invaluable for breeding tanks; blanched veg and almond leaves are cheap favourites.
- Remove uneaten food after a couple of hours, and never use copper medications.
Less is more
The most important rule of shrimp keeping: feed sparingly. A mature tank provides most of what shrimp need through biofilm and algae, and overfeeding is the fastest route to a spike in nitrate, planaria and a crashing colony. A small amount two or three times a week is plenty for most tanks.
Our top picks
Best staple — Bacter AE / biofilm powder. A biofilm-boosting powder feeds the microorganisms shrimplets rely on — invaluable for breeding tanks.
Best everyday food — shrimp pellets/granules. Quality shrimp granules give a balanced diet; remove any uneaten after a couple of hours.
Best natural treat — blanched vegetables & leaves. Blanched courgette, spinach and Indian almond leaves are cheap and shrimp love them; the leaves also release beneficial tannins.
How much to feed
Offer a small amount every two to three days and watch: if food remains after a couple of hours, you are feeding too much. A healthy colony will swarm food quickly. Ensure adequate hardness and calcium for moulting — see what is GH — and never dose copper medications, which are fatal to shrimp.
Frequently asked questions
What do aquarium shrimp eat?
In a mature tank shrimp graze biofilm and algae for most of their diet. Supplement sparingly with shrimp granules, biofilm powder, and blanched vegetables or almond leaves.
How often should I feed shrimp?
Only every two to three days, in small amounts. If food remains after a couple of hours you are overfeeding — the most common cause of colony crashes.
What is the best food for cherry shrimp?
A biofilm powder like Bacter AE is invaluable, especially for breeding, alongside quality shrimp granules and natural treats like blanched courgette and Indian almond leaves.
— Jaqline Smalling, FishForever
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