The short answer
Feed aquarium shrimp lightly, just two or three times a week — not daily. Dwarf shrimp like cherries are natural grazers that spend all day picking at biofilm, algae and leftover detritus on plants, rocks and substrate. In a mature tank that film alone covers most of their needs, so supplemental food is a top-up, not a main course.
How much and how often
Offer a small amount of a shrimp-specific food every two or three days, giving only what the colony clears in two to three hours. A single sinking pellet or a pinch of powdered food for a typical colony is enough. Remove anything left behind — decaying food fouls water and encourages pest snails and bacterial blooms.
Shrimp also relish blanched vegetables — a thin slice of zucchini, spinach or blanched carrot, weighted down and removed after a few hours, makes an excellent occasional treat.
Match feeding to the tank
- Heavily planted, mature tank: feed less — there’s plenty to graze on.
- Sparse or new tank: feed a little more often until biofilm builds up.
- After a big water change or new plants: hold off; there’s usually a flush of food.
Watch the shrimp themselves. A colony that swarms food instantly is keen; shrimp ignoring an offering are already well fed, so skip a session.
The bigger picture
Feeding is only one piece — shrimp are sensitive to water quality and copper. See what they eat in more detail in what do aquarium shrimp eat, read the full cherry shrimp care guide, and if you’re setting up, follow how to set up a shrimp tank. Browse feeding options in our food range.