What do I feed, How often do I feed Neo Caridina shrimp?

what should I feed my Neos?

Neo Caridina shrimp (Neos) thrive on a varied diet that mimics their natural grazing behavior. Here’s a breakdown of what you can feed them:

Staple Foods (2–3x per week):

• Shrimp-specific pellets/wafers(e.g., Bacter AE, Shrimp King Complete, Hikari Shrimp Cuisine)

• Algae wafers(break into small pieces)

• Blanched vegetables:

• Zucchini

• Spinach

• Kale

• Carrot

• Cucumber

(Blanch for 1–2 minutes, cool, and remove uneaten pieces after a few hours)

Occasional Treats (1x per week):

• Indian almond leaves (catappa leaves)– provides food, biofilm, and tannins for health

• Bee pollen– great protein and vitamins

• Spirulina powder– promotes color and immunity

• Snowflake food– soybean husks that break down slowly for long-term grazing

Natural Sources (daily grazing):

• Biofilm(encouraged by leaf litter, cholla wood, and natural substrate)

• Algae(especially green and brown algae on tank surfaces)

• Detritus(dead plant matter, mulm)

Important Feeding Tips:

• Feed tiny amounts– just enough for them to eat in 1–2 hours.

• Fast 1–2 days per week to prevent overfeeding and water quality issues.

• Rotate foodtypes to ensure balanced nutrition.

 

How often should I feed them?

You should feed your Neo Caridina shrimp (Neos) about 2–3 times per week, depending on these factors:

1. Tank size and biofilm availability:

• If your tank is mature with algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter, feed less oftensince they’ll graze throughout the day.

• In newer or very clean tanks, feed more frequently (but lightly).

2. Amount of shrimp:

• A larger colony may need slightly more frequent or larger feedings.

3. Food type:

• Specialized shrimp food(e.g., shrimp pellets or wafers) should be removed after a few hours if uneaten.

• Blanched vegetables(like zucchini or spinach) can be left in for a few hours max.

• Biofilm and algaeare their primary natural diet and safest to rely on.

Tip: Watch how quickly they eat. If food is still there after 2–3 hours, reduce the amount next time.