You drop food into your tank, and your cherry shrimp rush toward it like they haven't eaten in days. Sound familiar? If you've ever wondered why are my fish always hungry — or more specifically, why your shrimp seem to beg at every feeding — you're not alone. The truth is, most shrimp keepers overfeed without even realizing it. And overfeeding kills more shrimp colonies than underfeeding ever will. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly what to feed your cherry shrimp, how often to do it, and which common fish foods secretly contain copper — a mineral that's toxic to shrimp.
Why Cherry Shrimp Always Seem Hungry
Here's something most beginners don't know: cherry shrimp are grazers, not feast-and-fast eaters. In nature, they spend almost every waking hour picking at biofilm, algae, and decomposing plant matter. They're built to eat tiny amounts constantly — not big meals twice a day.
So when you see them scavenging the substrate or scraping the glass right after a feeding, that's normal behavior. It doesn't mean they're starving. It means they're doing exactly what shrimp do.
The danger? When hobbyists see this and respond by adding more food, it leads to ammonia spikes and water quality crashes. I've seen established colonies wiped out in under a week from overfeeding. The rule I follow: if there's uneaten food after 2 hours, you're feeding too much.
What Do Cherry Shrimp Actually Eat in a Tank?
Cherry shrimp are omnivores with a strong preference for plant-based foods. Here's what makes up their natural diet in aquarium conditions:
Plant-Based Foods
- Biofilm (the thin bacterial layer that coats surfaces)
- Algae — green spot algae, thread algae, diatoms
- Decaying plant leaves
- Blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and cucumber
- Algae wafers
Protein Sources
- Micro-organisms in the substrate
- Tiny worms and infusoria
- High-quality shrimp pellets with added protein
- Dried leaves like Indian almond leaves or mulberry leaves
The balance matters. A diet that's too protein-heavy can trigger fast, unhealthy growth and stress the shrimp's system. Aim for roughly 70% plant-based and 30% protein in their overall cherry shrimp diet in aquarium settings.
The Best Foods for a Cherry Shrimp Colony
Not all shrimp foods are equal. Here's a breakdown of the best options, including natural choices and commercial products.
1. Blanched Vegetables for Shrimp
This is my go-to for beginner shrimp keepers. Blanching softens vegetables so shrimp can graze on them easily. The best options:
- Zucchini / courgette — easy to prep, shrimp love it
- Spinach — rich in minerals, but blanch it well to remove tannins
- Cucumber — great for hot months when shrimp need hydration
- Kale and broccoli — use sparingly, high in oxalates
2. Algae Wafers for Shrimp
Algae wafers are a staple in most shrimp tanks. They sink quickly and deliver plant-based nutrition right where shrimp spend most of their time — at the bottom. Break a wafer into smaller pieces. A quarter of a standard wafer is plenty for a colony of 20-30 shrimp.
3. Shrimp Pellets and Sinking Foods
Purpose-made shrimp pellets are the best sinking food for shrimp tanks. Look for options that contain:
- Spirulina or chlorella (plant-based protein)
- Calcium for cherry shrimp shell growth
- No added copper sulfate
Popular community favorites include Hikari Shrimp Cuisine, Glasgarten Shrimp Dinner, and SL-Aqua More Vegetable. Always check the ingredient label. [EXTERNAL LINK: Hikari Shrimp Cuisine product page]
4. Dried Leaves — Natural Food for Cherry Shrimp Tanks
Indian almond leaves, mulberry leaves, and catappa bark are incredible natural food sources. As they break down, they grow biofilm — which shrimp graze on constantly. They also release tannins that improve water chemistry and mimic the shrimp's natural habitat.
Add 1-2 leaves per 10 gallons. Replace them every 2-3 weeks once they're fully decomposed.
5. Homemade Food for Cherry Shrimp
Want to go DIY? Many experienced breeders make their own shrimp foods. A simple recipe:
- 1 tbsp spirulina powder
- 1 tsp dried mulberry leaf powder
- 1 tsp unflavored gelatin (binder)
- Pinch of calcium powder
Mix, set in an ice cube tray, freeze, and drop a small cube in as needed. It's cost-effective and you control every ingredient.
How Often Should You Feed Cherry Shrimp?
This is where most beginners get it wrong. In a mature, planted tank, shrimp can survive on natural biofilm and algae alone for weeks. Supplemental feeding should be a bonus, not a lifeline.
| Tank Maturity | Feeding Frequency | Portion Size |
|---|---|---|
| New tank (0-3 months) | Every other day | Very small — pea-sized |
| Established tank (3+ months) | 3x per week | Tiny — match shrimp body size |
| Heavily planted tank | 1-2x per week | Minimal — biofilm covers the rest |
| Breeding colony focus | Daily — small amounts | Protein-rich pellet, tiny piece |
The 2-hour rule is your best friend: if food remains uneaten after 2 hours, remove it and reduce your next portion. [INTERNAL LINK: shrimp tank cycling guide]
Natural Food Sources in Your Tank
A well-set-up shrimp tank produces its own food. Here's how to maximize natural food sources for your cherry shrimp diet.
Biofilm — The Secret Superfood
Biofilm is a thin layer of bacteria, microorganisms, and organic matter that coats every surface in your tank. It's the single most important food source for cherry shrimp, and it's completely free.
To encourage biofilm growth: keep some driftwood in the tank, add dried leaves, and don't over-clean surfaces. A little algae on the back glass? Leave it. Your shrimp will thank you.
Live Plants
Plants like java moss, hornwort, and anubias trap micro-particles and grow biofilm rapidly. They also serve as hiding spots for shrimplets (baby shrimp), which improves survival rates in a breeding colony.
Mulm and Substrate
Mulm — that dark, organic buildup at the bottom of your substrate — is shrimp gold. It's packed with micro-organisms. During water changes, use a gentle siphon and avoid disturbing the substrate too aggressively.
Foods to Avoid: The Copper Problem
This section could save your entire colony. Copper is highly toxic to shrimp — even at trace levels. And it hides in more products than you'd expect.
Common Sources of Copper in Fish Foods
- Copper sulfate — often listed as a color additive or preservative
- Generic tropical fish flakes — many contain copper compounds
- Cheap algae wafers made for plecos — check the label carefully
- Some liquid fertilizers and root tabs — always shrimp-safe versions only
I had a client lose 40+ shrimp in two days because they switched to a cheap tropical flake food without reading the label. The copper content was listed as 'copper sulfate (color)' — easy to miss. Always read the full ingredient list, not just the front label claims. [EXTERNAL LINK: aquarium shrimp copper toxicity research]
Safe food brands for shrimp generally include Hikari, Glasgarten, SL-Aqua, and Dennerle. These companies specifically design products for invertebrates. [INTERNAL LINK: best shrimp-safe fertilizers guide]
Building a Cherry Shrimp Feeding Schedule
Here's a practical weekly feeding plan you can adapt for your own tank. This works well for a colony of 20-50 cherry shrimp in a 10-20 gallon planted tank.
| Day | What to Feed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Small piece of blanched zucchini — remove after 4 hours |
| Tuesday | Rest day — let them graze on biofilm |
| Wednesday | Quarter of an algae wafer, broken into pieces |
| Thursday | Rest day |
| Friday | Shrimp pellet or homemade food cube (protein day) |
| Saturday | Rest day — drop in a dried leaf if not already present |
| Sunday | Rest day — optional: pinch of spirulina powder |
Adjust based on your tank's biofilm levels and how quickly food disappears. If shrimp clean the food in under an hour, add a small amount more next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I feed cherry shrimp?
Feed cherry shrimp 3-4 times per week in a well-established planted tank. New tanks may need slightly more frequent feeding while biofilm builds up. Always use the 2-hour rule — if food is still there after 2 hours, you're giving too much. Less is almost always more with shrimp.
What is the best food for cherry shrimp breeding?
For breeding success, rotate between protein-rich shrimp pellets (2x per week) and plant-based foods like blanched vegetables and algae wafers. Calcium is especially important for egg development and shell hardening in baby shrimp. Look for foods with added calcium or supplement separately with crushed coral substrate.
Can cherry shrimp eat regular fish food?
Yes, but be careful. Many regular fish foods contain copper sulfate, which is toxic to shrimp even in small amounts. Stick to foods specifically made for invertebrates, or verify the ingredient list thoroughly. Hikari and Glasgarten are among the safest commercial options widely available to hobbyists.
Why are my cherry shrimp always hungry after feeding?
They're probably not hungry — they're grazing, which is their natural behavior. Cherry shrimp constantly pick at surfaces looking for biofilm and micro-organisms. It looks like hunger but it's instinct. As long as water parameters are healthy and you're feeding 3-4 times per week, your shrimp are almost certainly fine.
Do cherry shrimp need calcium supplements?
Calcium is essential for cherry shrimp shell growth and molting. If you're using RO (reverse osmosis) water, you'll need to remineralize it. In tap water tanks, calcium is usually sufficient. Signs of calcium deficiency include failed molts and a condition called 'white ring of death' — a visible gap in the shell during molting.
Author Bio
Written by an experienced freshwater aquarium hobbyist with 8+ years maintaining shrimp colonies and planted nano tanks. Specializes in cherry shrimp breeding, water chemistry, and beginner-friendly aquascaping.