The short answer
Aquarium shrimp are omnivorous grazers that mostly eat biofilm, algae, leftover food and detritus. In an established tank they pick at the thin layer of microbes and algae coating every surface from morning to night, which is why they double as tireless clean-up crew. You supplement that natural grazing with occasional shrimp food and vegetables — not the other way round.
Their natural diet
The staple is biofilm — the invisible film of bacteria, microalgae and organic matter that develops on plants, rocks, wood and substrate. Alongside it they graze soft algae, nibble decaying plant matter, and scavenge any leftover fish food before it rots. This is exactly why a slightly mature tank suits shrimp far better than a brand-new, spotless one.
What to feed as a supplement
A few times a week you can top up their diet with:
- Shrimp pellets or powders — nutritionally complete foods made for dwarf shrimp.
- Blanched vegetables — thin slices of zucchini, spinach, carrot or cucumber, weighted down and removed after a few hours.
- Occasional protein — a little frozen food or a specialist protein feed supports moulting and breeding.
Offer only what the colony clears in a couple of hours, and remove leftovers. See our food picks and the wider food range.
Feeding without overdoing it
Overfeeding is the classic mistake: leftover food fouls the water and shrimp are sensitive to poor water quality. For amounts and timing, see how often should I feed shrimp. For everything else about keeping them, read the cherry shrimp care guide and, if you’re starting out, how to set up a shrimp tank.