Feeder Ghost Shrimp: Live Food for Puffers, Cichlids, Axolotls and Bettas

Which fish eat ghost shrimp

Any fish or amphibian that hunts small crustaceans will usually take ghost shrimp. They are small, clear and move like natural prey, which makes them useful for picky eaters and for conditioning fish before breeding.

How many feeder shrimp to buy

Plan around one to two weeks of feedings so shrimp stay lively. A single large cichlid or puffer might eat a few shrimp at each feeding, two or three times a week. Count your predators, multiply by a week or two of meals, and round up to the next pack. Feeding every week? Monthly delivery from $63.99 a month delivers on the week you choose.

Gut-loading feeder shrimp

Shrimp are only as nutritious as what they have been eating. For a day or two before feeding, give your feeder shrimp a small amount of quality flake, spirulina or blanched vegetables. That nutrition passes on to your fish.

1. Move the shrimp into a separate cycled tank or tub with an air stone.
2. Feed a pinch of quality food once a day for one to two days.
3. Remove uneaten food so the water stays clean.
4. Net out only what your fish will eat in one feeding.

Feeding pufferfish and cichlids

Puffers hunt shrimp with obvious enthusiasm, and the shells give their beaks some wear, though snails do that job better. Cichlids and oscars eat adult shrimp readily, and live shrimp are a reliable way to get a stressed or newly moved fish eating again. Our pufferfish guide and cichlid guide go deeper on schedules and sizes.

Feeding axolotls

Axolotls are ambush feeders that do well on earthworms and quality sinking pellets. Ghost shrimp make a good occasional treat because they move and trigger feeding. Keep these points in mind:

• Pick small shrimp that fit easily in the axolotl's mouth.
• Offer a few at a time in cool water and remove any the axolotl ignores.
• Keep shrimp as a treat, not the whole diet.
• Acclimate new shrimp in a separate container for a few days before feeding.

Feeding bettas

Bettas are small predators, and many will chase juvenile ghost shrimp. A few small shrimp make a good enrichment treat that keeps a betta active. If you would rather keep shrimp with a betta as tank mates, give them a larger planted tank with plenty of cover; our stocking guide covers numbers.

Common mistakes with feeder shrimp

• Adding shipping water to your aquarium. Always net the shrimp and discard the bag water.
• Using copper-based medications in the shrimp container. Copper is toxic to shrimp.
• Feeding shrimp that are too large for the predator, especially axolotls and bettas.
• Skipping acclimation. Float the bag, then add tank water slowly before netting the shrimp in.

Subscription or one-time pack

See the monthly delivery for recurring feeders, or pick a one-time count below.

Frequently asked questions