The short answer
Yes — freshwater shrimp are natural grazers that pick at algae and biofilm constantly. They’re excellent at keeping soft algae and the invisible microfilm on plants, glass and hardscape under control, which is why they’re a favourite clean-up crew. What they won’t do is wipe out a serious algae outbreak or eat tough algae like black beard — they’re tidy grazers, not a cure for an algae problem.
What shrimp actually eat
Shrimp spend their day working over surfaces, eating soft green algae, diatoms (brown algae) and biofilm — the layer of microorganisms that coats everything in a mature tank. That biofilm is their staple food. Amano shrimp are the standout algae eaters, noticeably bigger and hungrier than most, while cherry shrimp graze steadily and breed into a self-sustaining clean-up team.
What they won’t clear
Shrimp can’t tackle the stubborn stuff — black beard algae, thick hair algae or a green-water bloom are beyond them. Those come from too much light and excess nutrients, and the fix is cultural: less light, fewer nutrients, more water changes. See black beard algae and how do I get rid of hair algae. Shrimp keep things tidy between those bigger interventions.
Getting the best algae control
For maximum algae grazing, keep amano shrimp; for a breeding clean-up colony, keep cherries. Give them a mature, cycled tank and a gentle filter (do shrimp need a filter), feed lightly so they stay hungry for algae, and pair them with nerite snails for the tougher glass algae. More on their diet in what do aquarium shrimp eat.