Feeding shrimp - they aren't the smartest, are they?

A few weeks ago got 2 Japanese shrimp for my 20 gallon tank (also have
3 golden barbs and 2 leopard danios - this was the tank I took over
from a neighbor).

They have done a lovely job of cleaning off the algae on the big piece
of driftwood in the center - and now are working on some algae growing
on the tank.

My question is: any tips on feeding them?

I have algae tables - I've broken off small pieces. At first I was
just throwing them in the tank - never made it to the shrimp as far as
I can tell.

I've started literaly handing the pieces to the shrimp - putting my arm
in the tank.
They seem to be getting used to the hand in the tank. However:

1. If I put the piece close to them - they seem to figure out it's food
about 50% of the time..... otherwise they move off.

2. Sometimes the other fish see the tablets and go for it.

Anyhow... I'm looking for shrimp feeding strategies - since the algae
will be pretty much gone soon.

Any ideas?

I really enjoy having them in the tank.

Alec in Providence

Alec M wrote:
My question is: any tips on feeding them?

I have 6 species of shrimp in my small tank and they all go crazy for
algae wafers. My guess is that they'll eat them if they're hungry.

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Victor M. Martinez
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I have 2 crabs and had some similar problems at first. What I found
were 2 things.

1. They were less likely to eat them if there was other stuff to eat in
the tank to eat first.

2. It took them, and the plico, a while to learn what this strange,
disk thing I was putting in the tank was.

So I figure it just takes time. Also, they don't seem to like them
unless there is nothing else in the tank for them to eat. Because of
this I only give them little peices every couple of days. Good luck.

Travis

Victor Martinez wrote:
Alec M wrote:

My question is: any tips on feeding them?


I have 6 species of shrimp in my small tank and they all go crazy for
algae wafers. My guess is that they'll eat them if they're hungry.


I agree - I have "Hikari" brand algae wafers, and my Amano shrimp acted
like they were green crack. Wild behavior, rushing toward them, hoarding
pieces jealously. (The first time I put a piece in, I put it in one
single piece - big mistake. The first shrimp that got to it carted it
off all for himself, even though it was bigger than his head.)

That said, I've noticed that they no longer are as adventurous for food
as they once were before I added some tankmates. They seem to hang back
and let the fish have the first go. Though if I feed them pieces with
fingers or tweezers, they still grab them enthusiasticaly. There have
been times when they haven't, but I think that's because I had a strange
scent on my finger, or had accidently bumped them in the nose while feeding.

My suggestion - either up the light/fertilizers to grow more algae, or
stuff the fish first, and then feed the shrimp.

Thanks all for the posts - turns out that what works well for me is:

1. Feed the fish first

2. Get the shrimp used to hand-feeding - they actually eventually
picked up on the fact that this big pink think is a hand bringing them
some tasty shrimp treats (aka algae tablets) and are ok w/ being
handfed.

Now, that's a different take on "shrimp treats" ain't it? (it means
something totally different to my cats).

They are thriving.

Thnx again!

Alec in Providence