What Do Shrimp Eat in the Wild?

Imagine a shrimp out in the wild, in its natural habitat. They are not waiting around for someone to drop in a shrimp pellet. They are scavengers, plain and simple. These little guys munch on whatever they can find—algae, biofilm, and bits of decaying plants. It is a bit like a buffet, but with way less glamour. In your tank, they are going to act the same way. That biofilm on the glass that you might be itching to clean off? For your shrimp, that is lunch. The decaying leaves that you are thinking about scooping out? That is dinner. So, shrimp survive well without expressly being given food. But, we can go deeper.

If you are curious about what algae might be growing in your tank that your shrimp can snack on, check out this guide to common types of algae in aquariums.

How Long Can They Go Without Being Fed?

Now, we can talk about how long these little scavengers can survive without you feeding them directly. The answer is not one-size-fits-all. It depends on a few things. What kind of shrimp are you keeping? What does your tank look like? How much natural food is floating around in there?

• Species Matters: Some shrimp, like Neocaridina, are tough little creatures. They can handle a couple of weeks without you feeding them. They will find enough to eat in a well-established tank. On the other hand, more delicate species, like Caridina, might not do so well.
• Tank Environment: If your tank is well-established, meaning it has been running for a while with good plant growth and a healthy layer of biofilm, your shrimp have a pretty decent pantry stocked up. If the tank is newer, they might struggle.
• Shrimp Population: How many shrimp are we talking about? If you have a tank bursting with shrimp, they are going to clean out those natural food sources faster. Fewer shrimp mean less competition for the food that is there.

In a solid, well-balanced tank, you could leave them be for up to two weeks. Two whole weeks! But—and this is a big but—do not take that as a green light to skip feeding them just because you can. This is more of a safety net for those times when life throws a curveball.

What Can You Do to Help Them Out?

So, you have got a trip coming up, or maybe you are just curious. Either way, there are a few things you can do to keep your shrimp from going hungry when you are not around:

• Let the Tank Get a Little Messy: I know it is hard to resist cleaning every speck of algae and biofilm, but maybe just this once, let it be. That stuff is a lifeline for your shrimp. Let it build up a bit before you head out.
• Plant Some Extra Greens: A few extra plants never hurt anyone. The leaves will eventually decay, adding to the natural food supply. Plus, plants like mosses can hold onto biofilm, giving your shrimp more to graze on.
• Consider an Automatic Feeder: This one is tricky. Automatic feeders can be great, but they can also overfeed your tank if not set up just right. If you decide to use one, test it out beforehand to make sure it is dropping the right amount of food. A good option to check out is the Everyday Auto Fish Feeder.
• Go Low-Tech with a Vacation Block: These are those slow-release food blocks that you plop in the tank before you leave. They are not my favorite, but they can work in a pinch. Just be careful, because some of them can mess with your water parameters.
• Ask a Friend to Check In: If you are lucky enough to have a fellow fish keeper as a friend, ask them to drop by and check on things. Just make sure they know what they are doing. The last thing you want is someone overfeeding your tank because they feel bad for the shrimp.

If you need more help managing algae while you are away, you might find this guide on controlling and removing hair algae useful.

Signs Your Shrimp Are Not Getting Enough Food

Now, what if things go south? How do you know if your shrimp are starting to struggle without enough food?

• Lack of Activity: Shrimp that are hungry might start to slow down. If they are usually zipping around the tank but suddenly look like they are lounging too much, they might not be getting enough to eat.
• Color Fading: A shrimp’s color can be a pretty good indicator of its health. If they start to lose their vibrant color, it could be a sign they are missing out on essential nutrients.
• Molting Issues: Shrimp need the right nutrition to molt properly. If you notice they are not molting as often, or they are having trouble shedding their old exoskeleton, that is a red flag.
• Increased Aggression: Hungry shrimp might start getting a little too competitive over food, leading to some aggressive behavior.

If you notice any of these signs, it is time to step in. You might need to feed them a little more often, or add in some high-quality shrimp food like Hikari Shrimp Cuisine. That is one of my go-to’s when my shrimp need a little extra boost. Another option is Bacter AE, which can help stimulate biofilm growth.

So, What Is the Bottom Line?

Shrimp are pretty hardy, especially if you have got a good setup. They can survive without you feeding them for a while, but do not push it too far. A well-maintained tank with plenty of natural food sources is your best bet. And if you ever have to leave them, take a few precautions to make sure they have what they need.

Have you ever had to leave your shrimp without food? How did they manage? I would love to hear your stories. Drop a comment below and let us know how you handled it. And while you are here, feel free to poke around the blog. There is plenty more to learn about keeping shrimp happy and healthy!