Do Cherry Shrimps Eat Brine Shrimp? [Safe or Risky]

Last afternoon, one of my friends was talking about his cherry shrimp. Suddenly, he jumped to how his shrimp loved having a bite of brine shrimp, though he never tried it before as shrimp food. But do cherry shrimp eat brine shrimp? I thought of finding the answer and was surprised by what came out.

Cherry shrimp do eat brine shrimp. But cherry shrimp prefer eating dead brine shrimp over live ones. Brine shrimp are a good source of protein and nutrients for cherry shrimp. Interestingly, cherry shrimp don’t hunt live brine shrimp.

But is that all? Is there nothing else that makes brine shrimp an ideal addition to the diet of cherry shrimp? Well, there is, and the list is quite long. Start scrolling if you’ve got a few minutes to unveil a new part of the cherry shrimp’s diet. 

Key Takeaways

• Cherry shrimp eat brine shrimp as it provides high nutritional value along with amino and fatty acids.
• Brine shrimp help with cherry shrimp’s color and growth enhancement.
• Some alternatives to brine shrimps are algae and biofilm, specialized shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables, and commercial shrimp food.

Why Eating Brine Shrimp Is Good For Cherry Shrimp?

The good thing about cherry shrimp is they don’t bite on any food that doesn’t benefit them in one way or another. The same goes for Brine shrimp as well. So, what are the benefits involved here? Well, the first one is –

1. High Nutritional Value

Brine shrimp comes with lots of protein. So, if you’re asking for a perfect source of dietary nutrients for your shrimp, this is it. Plus, the kind of protein they get from brine shrimp helps them have better growth and repair tissue.

2. Amino Acids

Not only protein but brine shrimp is a good source of amino acids as well. This element is precisely fundamental when it comes to the building blocks of proteins. On top of that, these amino acids influence different physiological functions, especially the synthesis of enzymes and hormones.

Want to dive deeper into Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina)? This article has all the answers! Do Cherry Shrimps Eat Brown Algae?

3. Fatty Acids

Intake of fatty acids matters a lot in maintaining healthy cell membranes. Plus, they help to promote growth along with supporting reproductive processes.

The good news is brine shrimp can be a perfect source of those fatty acids, especially omega-3 and omega-6.

4. Growth Enhancement

When it comes to promoting growth, the consumption of Brine shrimp can help out lots of fish and crustaceans. Cherry shrimp slip into that list, too. So, eating brine shrimp is the perfect move to boost their growth rate.

5. Color Enhancement

One of the characteristics of cherry shrimp that makes them attractive aquatic creatures is their color. Brine shrimp can contribute a lot here if they fall into the diet of cherry shrimp, thanks to the pigments brine shrimp come with.

6. Convenience

It’s easy to find brine shrimp in different forms, such as frozen, live, and freeze-dried. So, depending on the cherry shrimp’s needs and preferences, it’s easy for aquarium hobbyists and aquaculturists to pick the right option.

7. Versatility

Thanks to its versatility, brine shrimp is perfect for a wide range of aquatic animals. So, when you’re putting them in there for your cherry shrimp, the other fishes will find them as a tasty meal as well.

8. Long Shelf Life

Due to having a long shelf life, brine shrimp can be fed for a longer period of time. They can be stored in freeze-dried or frozen form for feeding over extended periods.

The Best Alternatives Of Brine Shrimp

At times, there’s a chance of you not getting brine shrimp for your cherry shrimp. At those times, you better go for the alternatives. But which ones are the best suited here? Well, it’s better to go with something like –

1. Algae and Biofilm

Algae and biofilm are considered perfect nutrition sources for cherry shrimp.

They’re well-known for promoting the growth of these arthropods as their continuous and nutritious food. So, even if there’s an absence or shortage of brine shrimp, these foods can fill that gap.

Want the inside track on Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina)? This post is your go-to guide. Do Cherry Shrimps Eat Black Beard Algae?

2. Specialized Shrimp Pellets

High-quality shrimp pellets seem to be a good alternative to brine shrimp. These pallets come with a balanced combination of vitamins, proteins, and minerals. So, you can say these pallets are good enough to fulfill the dietary needs of cherry shrimp.

3. Blanched Vegetables

Not entirely, but vegetables like spinach, zucchini, and kale can surely replace brine shrimp to a certain extent. But you’ll have to make sure that the shrimp are getting soft, decomposing parts of these vegetables.

4. Commercial Shrimp Food

Some of the brands out there are offering specialized shrimp food. These foods, to a certain extent, can provide the same kind of nutrients brine shrimp can. And the good thing is they’re available in different forms, such as powders, granules, or sticks.

Before We Go…..

Due to being omnivores, cherry shrimp have a taste for unusual foods as well. But what if I say they’ve got some for snail eggs, too? Well, it’s true, and there are tons of other factors related to this. Want to take a peak on those? Click on – Do Cherry Shrimp Eat Snail Eggs?