Shrimp feeding

Frequency & portions (planted tanks with biofilm):
• 2–4 times a week in micro-portions that shrimp consume within 1–2 hours.
• Remove leftovers: avoiding accumulation reduces the risk of planaria/hydra and NO₃/PO₄ spikes.
• Practical guideline: ~1 mini-stick or ½ wafer (8–10 mm) for every 20–30 shrimp (adjust to your colony).

Types of food:
• Vegetable-based (spirulina, nettle Urtica dioica, mulberry Morus alba, moringa): daily/maintenance.
• Protein-based (mysis, krill, insects): once a week or during growth; avoid excess.
• Powders/micro-granules for fry (0–30 days) and for distributing nutrients on the substrate/biofilm.

Neocaridina vs Caridina:
• Neocaridina: more tolerant; simple routine with a vegetable base + weekly protein spot.
• Caridina (Crystal/Taiwan Bee): prefer smaller, more frequent portions; be careful not to dirty the substrate (feeding dish recommended) and maintain stable GH/KH/TDS.

Practical management:
• Use a feeding dish/ring to limit dispersion into the substrate.
• Alternate 2–3 recipes (vegetable/protein/mineral) for a complete profile.
• Minerals for molting: diets with calcium/clays (e.g., montmorillonite) help the exoskeleton; the key remains properly remineralized reverse osmosis water.

Ingredients & safety:
• Check that the food is shrimp-safe; some products list copper sulfate as a trace element in traces: it is normally tolerated at minimal doses, but avoid overdosing and prefer lines specifically for shrimp.
• Avoid excessive preservatives/dyes; astaxanthin as a pigment is useful for coloration.

When to increase frequency: in growth tanks or large colonies, you can administer daily micro-portions (even powders), always adhering to the rule of consumption within 1–2 hours and with regular maintenance.