What do Shrimp Eat?

Shrimp are one of the most popular seafoods consumed in the world today. They are a wonderfully versatile food, fitting into almost any recipe imaginable. This is likely why they have become so widely incorporated into the diets of people everywhere. But do people know what do shrimp eat when not on their plates?

The Diet of Wild Shrimp

Wild shrimp primarily feed on items like algae, phytoplankton, and other detritus found in the waters they inhabit. Phytoplankton – small, single-celled organisms that contain pigments that allow them to conduct photosynthesis – represent one particularly important food source. It is both readily available and often forms the base of the aquatic food chain, or the group of organisms sharing a common food source.

Algae serves a similar purpose as phytoplankton, though its consistency may differ depending on the species. Shrimp may also eat other aquatic organisms such as insects, worms, small fish, and mollusks, depending on the size of their bodies and the abundance of prey.

What Do Shrimp Eat in Captivity?

Shrimp kept in captivity have quite a few food options available to them, depending again on their size. In terms of flakes, pellets, tablets, and other processed foods, smaller shrimp like juvenile Ghost Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, and Crystal Red Shrimp will generally feed on small- to medium-sized pellets. Something like Hikari’s Micro Pellet is usually a great choice for such shrimp.

Larger aquarium shrimp, such as the Snowball Shrimp, Tiger Shrimp, and Bamboo Shrimp, will generally benefit from a sinking pellet formulated specifically for shrimp diets. These sinking pellets provide an ideal balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and minerals necessary for a proper shrimp diet.

In addition to pellets and flakes, shrimp may also feed on other items like frozen, blanched, or live vegetables such as cucumber, squash, zucchini, lettuce, and spinach. They may also feed readily on algae wafers and other sinking food items.

Overall, shrimp can benefit greatly from a varied diet, as variety aids in proper growth and development. With the range of foods available to shrimp keepers, providing the correct nutrients for almost any species of shrimp should be a straightforward task.