Shrimp will eat almost anything — which is exactly why feeding them right is confusing. The truth: a mature tank feeds your shrimp all day (algae + biofilm), and everything you add is a supplement. Here are the 9 foods worth using, and the schedule that keeps colonies thriving without fouling the water.
The 9 best shrimp foods
- Biofilm & algae — the free, 24/7 staple. A mature planted tank with moss and driftwood grows it constantly.
- Quality shrimp pellets — the backbone supplement; balanced formulas like Shrimp King cover minerals and protein.
- Catappa (Indian almond) leaves — grow biofilm as they break down, release mild tannins shrimp love. Set-and-forget.
- Blanched vegetables — zucchini, spinach, pumpkin; 30 seconds in boiling water, remove leftovers after a few hours.
- Snowflake food — soy hulls that grow fungus shrimp graze on; safe to leave in, ideal for holidays.
- Protein treats — bloodworms or daphnia once a week max; berried females especially benefit (see breeding guide).
- Mineral blocks — top up calcium for moulting while doubling as a snack; find them in shrimp essentials.
- Bacter-type powders — biofilm boosters that give shrimplets a head start in newer tanks.
- Their own moults — leave shed shells in the tank; shrimp recycle the calcium. Free and important.
The weekly schedule
| Mon | Pellet feed (small pinch) |
| Wed | Blanched veg or snowflake |
| Fri | Pellet feed |
| Sun | Protein treat (fortnightly) or skip |
Portion rule: what the colony finishes in 2–3 hours. Leftovers out. One skipped day a week is genuinely good for them — it pushes shrimp back onto tank biofilm.
Signs you're getting it wrong
- Overfeeding: planaria or seed shrimp outbreaks, cloudy water, deaths after feeding days — the most common shrimp-keeping mistake and a classic answer to "why are my shrimp dying?"
- Underfeeding (rare): shrimp constantly swimming instead of grazing, pale colours, stalled breeding in a heavily-stocked tank.
Stock the pantry
Grab Shrimp King foods and essentials alongside your shrimp — one order, shipped Australia-wide with our Live Arrival Guarantee. New to shrimp? Start at Shrimp Care 101.
