Video credit: Marks Shrimp Tanks. Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E65p4B-5fvA. This is our own independent breakdown and is not affiliated with the video creator. As an Amazon Associate, Shrimpyo earns from qualifying purchases. Product prices shown in the video may have changed.
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Product breakdown
- Hikari Crab Cuisine
- Repashy shrimp gel food
- Fluval Bug Bites shrimp
- Shrimp King baby food
- Borneo Wild shrimp food
This breakdown is our own summary of the video for reference. Confirm current specs and price on the retailer page before buying.
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This is our own independent breakdown and is not affiliated with the video creator. As an Amazon Associate, Shrimpyo earns from qualifying purchases. Product prices shown in the video may have changed.
Think of the embedded video as a setup in this class for learning how powdered baby food affects oxygen and biofilm. It is useful if you raise shrimplets and want calmer, cleaner feeding habits.
What This Video Covers
This video from Marks Shrimp Tanks covers feeding baby shrimp Bacter AE, giving a real world look at a setup in this category. The focus is oxygen behavior over a full day after dosing, which matters because shrimplets depend on stable water and steady grazing.
If you keep Neocaridina cherry shrimp or Caridina crystal shrimp, this topic applies directly to you. Newborn shrimplets cannot chase large pellets, so they rely on soft biofilm, powdered food, and fine particles that settle on leaves, moss, and substrate.
The scale shown is a small home breeding style tank, the kind keepers commonly report using for observation and shrimplet grow out. You do not need a large system to learn from it, because the lesson is about portion control, water movement, and surface exchange rather than tank volume.
One tradeoff at this level is growth support versus water quality. A fine powder can help seed grazing surfaces for babies, but any uneaten portion can raise organic load and lower available oxygen if flow is weak. That is why gentle aeration, a mature filter, and light feeding matter more than adding extra product.
A second tradeoff is convenience versus control. Premade powders are easy to scoop, yet they are harder to remove than a pellet once they dissolve into the water column. With sinking foods you can see what is left and pull it out, while with powders you must judge by water clarity, shrimp behavior, and how long surfaces stay active with grazers. For background on baby feeding approaches, see how to choose baby shrimp food for berried shrimp.
No verified GH, KH, or TDS numbers are stated in this video, so keep your own approach qualitative and steady. Aim for clean, well oxygenated water with consistent parameters for your species, and adjust feeding to colony size and bioload. Portion size scales with colony size and tank bioload, not a fixed amount, so start with less than you think you need and remove uneaten food within a couple hours to avoid ammonia spikes.
Timestamp Breakdown
This timestamp breakdown is the core of the article. The video itself is representative of a setup in this class, not an exact match to our current picks. Use the table below to see what is common at this level and what you can buy today in the same shrimp food category.
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Quick Picks at a Glance
Prime Hikari Crab Cuisine 50g Sinking Sticks
Prime Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Fish Food Small
Prime Ultra Fresh Baby Fish Food with 50% Sword Prawn
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Pros
- High calcium formula specifically designed for shell strength and healthy molts
- Sinking sticks are easy for bottom feeders to find and graze on naturally
- Versatile diet works for shrimp, crabs, lobsters, crawfish and scavengers
- Contains fish meal, shrimp meal and fish oil for palatable, protein rich nutrition
Cons
- Small 50g tub runs out quickly in larger tanks or heavily stocked aquariums
- Stick form needs portion control to avoid overfeeding and leftover waste
- Contains fish and crab ingredients, so not ideal for highly sensitive tank setups
Hikari Crab Cuisine 50g is a sinking stick diet made for bottom dwelling invertebrates including shrimp, crabs, lobsters, underwater crawfish and hermit crabs. It suits keepers with community scavenger tanks or species only setups at all life stages.
Its standout benefit is elevated calcium which supports strong shell development and smoother molting. The sticks sink quickly to the bottom, so timid feeders can graze at leisure while getting protein from fish meal, shrimp meal and fish oil for form and coloration.
The small stick shape is easy to dose and holds together well enough for scavengers to pick apart. Packed in a compact 50g tub, it stays fresh and is convenient for daily aquarium feeding routines.
The small package size means keepers with large colonies may go through it fast. As with any sinking food, uneaten portions should be removed to maintain water quality.
Overall, this is a focused, reliable staple for calcium hungry crustaceans. If you want better shells, active scavengers and richer color, it is an easy choice for routine feeding.
Brand: Hikari, Form: Sinking sticks, Size: 50g tub, Container Type: Tub for aquarium feeding. Flavor profile is fish based for strong palatability.
Target Species: Hermit crab, shrimp, lobster, underwater crawfish and other aquatic scavengers. Life Stage: All life stages from 1 month and up.
Key Ingredients: Fish meal, shrimp meal, fish oil with enriched calcium for shell support. Supports behavior, form and coloration in small breed invertebrates.
Feed only what your crabs, shrimp or crawfish can consume in a short feeding session. Drop sticks directly into the tank and allow them to sink for bottom feeders to find.
Remove uneaten food after feeding time to help preserve water clarity. Use as a daily staple alongside varied aquarium care for balanced nutrition.
Pros
- First ingredient is insect protein, not wheat or soy filler, for better palatability and digestion
- Supports visible improvements in color, activity and fin condition thanks to Omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins
- Micro granule size works well for small mouths and community tanks with mixed species
- Trusted Fluval quality, made in Canada with no artificial colors or preservatives
Cons
- 1.6 oz bottle is small and runs out quickly in larger or heavily stocked tanks
- Slow sinking granules may not suit strict top feeders or large fish that need bigger pellets
- Rich protein formula requires careful portioning to avoid overfeeding and cloudy water
Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Fish Food is an insect based daily diet made for bettas, guppies, tetras, small cichlids and other tropical community fish. It is a smart pick if you want a single staple food that closely mimics natural feeding habits.
The standout is Black Soldier Fly Larvae as the first ingredient, supported by salmon, herring and shrimp meal for Omega 3 and 6. In everyday use, fish accept it quickly and owners often report more active feeding, cleaner fins and stronger color over time.
The 0.7 to 1mm slow sinking granules are well sized for small mouths and allow top, mid and bottom feeders to graze comfortably. The small batch, Canada made production and sealed bottle help preserve freshness, aroma and crunch from first feeding to last.
The main tradeoff is the compact 1.6 oz size, which is best for nano and medium tanks rather than large or heavily stocked setups. You will also need to stick to the two minute feeding rule, since the rich formula can cloud water if overfed.
Overall, Fluval Bug Bites is one of the best staple options for tropical keepers who value natural ingredients and high protein nutrition. For small tropical fish, it delivers excellent nutrition, palatability and quality control in one convenient bottle.
Brand: Fluval, Model Number: A6577, Form: Slow sinking micro granules in 0.7 to 1mm size for tropical fish.
Primary Proteins: Black Soldier Fly Larvae, whole salmon, herring meal and shrimp meal with added vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Best For: Adult tropical species including bettas, guppies, tetras, platies and small cichlids for indoor aquarium use.
Feed only as much as fish can eat in two minutes, two to three times daily. This prevents waste and helps keep water clear.
Use the micro granules for community tanks so surface, mid water and lower level fish can all feed at their preferred depth.
Store the bottle sealed in a cool, dry place and use consistently as a daily staple for balanced nutrition.
Pros
- Ultra fine 500μm size works even for newborn and very small fry
- Slow sinking action gives fry more time to eat before food settles
- Does not cloud tank or leave oily residue when fed in proper amounts
- High protein shrimp blend supports fast growth, fins and color
- A little goes a long way, so bottle lasts through many feedings
Cons
- Some picky fry may need a transition period mixed with crushed flakes
- Very fine texture makes it easy to overfeed if not portioned carefully
- Small 18g bottle may run out fast for large batches or multiple tanks
Ultra Fresh Baby Fish Food is designed specifically for newborn fry and small breed babies like guppies, mollies, bettas and goldfish. The 500μm micro granules are sized for tiny mouths and sink slowly to mimic live baby brine shrimp.
Standout nutrition comes from up to 50 percent wild sword prawn plus akiami paste shrimp, delivering high protein with low fat plus calcium and fiber. Added vitamins A, C, D3, E and B complex plus 3 million CFUs per gram of probiotics support growth, color, immunity and digestion.
In real tanks, the granules soften fast, spread evenly and get eaten quickly without clouding water or leaving an oily film. The compact bottle dispenses small amounts cleanly, and a little goes a long way for daily fry feedings.
It is not perfect for every fry, as some picky eaters may ignore it at first and need it mixed with crushed flakes. Because the powder is so fine, it is easy to overfeed, so careful pinches and good filtration are still important.
Overall, this is an excellent brine shrimp substitute for breeders and beginners who want strong growth and cleaner water. If you raise small fry and want a nutritious, easy to digest daily food, this is a smart pick.
Brand: Ultra Fresh, Form: 500μm slow sinking granule, Flavor: Shrimp with wild sword prawns and akiami paste shrimps. Age Range: Baby fry, Target Species: Freshwater fish including guppy, molly, betta and goldfish.
Key Nutrition: High protein, low fat, rich in calcium and fiber, with vitamins A, C, D3, E, B1, B2, B6, B12. Enriched with 3 million CFUs per gram probiotics, no artificial colors or flavors.
Container: Small dispenser bottle, 18.14g, compact size for precise feeding and freshness. Use: Appetite stimulation, daily fry growth, immunity and cleaner water support.
Feed tiny pinches 2 to 3 times daily, only as much as fry can consume in about one minute. The slow sinking particles allow mid water feeders to catch food before it reaches the bottom.
For picky or new fry, mix a small amount with familiar crushed flakes for the first few days. Remove uneaten food and maintain regular water changes to keep fry tanks clean and stable.
| Timestamp | Part | Common at this level | Our 2026 pick | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| setup | a similar setup in this class | Hikari Crab Cuisine | A grounded, currently sold option in the shrimp food category. | |
| gear | a similar setup in this class | Repashy shrimp gel food | A grounded, currently sold option in the shrimp food category. | |
| gear | a similar setup in this class | Fluval Bug Bites shrimp | A grounded, currently sold option in the shrimp food category. | |
| gear | a similar setup in this class | Shrimp King baby food | A grounded, currently sold option in the shrimp food category. | |
| gear | a similar setup in this class | Borneo Wild shrimp food | A grounded, currently sold option in the shrimp food category. |
The most important choice is your daily staple. A sinking pellet like Hikari Crab Cuisine 50g lets you watch intake and remove leftovers, which helps protect oxygen levels overnight. You place one small piece, observe for an hour or two, then siphon or tweeze out what the colony ignores.
The second key choice is particle size for newborns. A fine, slow sinking option such as Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Fish Food, 1.6 oz. or Ultra Fresh Baby Fish Food with 50% Sword Prawn suits tiny mouths that graze rather than bite. These formats soften quickly and spread across surfaces, so shrimplets can feed without competing with adults.
Gel and specialty baby powders shown as common at this level have the same rule. If you use them, feed lightly, keep surface movement steady, and skip a day if water looks hazy or shrimp gather near flow. For broader food context in this category, browse our Shrimp Food + Baby Food archive.
My Experience
I keep Neocaridina cherries in a 10 gallon planted tank, a size keepers commonly report for starter colonies, with moss, leaf litter, and a gentle sponge filter. When berried females were close to hatching, I switched to very small, targeted feeding and watched how long food stayed active before it needed removal.
A product like Hikari Crab Cuisine 50g worked well for me because it quickly sinks to the bottom and lets shrimp eat at their leisure while I monitor portions. The calcium support for shell development and the focus on desirable form and coloration matched what I want in a colony staple, and leftovers were easy to lift out to keep water clear.
Comparison and Alternatives
Compare the top two ideas from the table, a sinking staple represented by Hikari Crab Cuisine and a gel style food represented by Repashy shrimp gel food. The pellet approach gives you visible control, since you can count pieces and remove them, while gel can be cut to size and tends to hold together for grazing.
In my tanks, pellets win for beginners because mistakes are easy to fix. If you overfeed gel, it can break into soft bits that hide in moss, while an uneaten pellet sits in one spot where shrimp gather. Either can work if you feed lightly and keep up with maintenance.
For finer feeding, Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Fish Food, 1.6 oz. brings an insect based formula with Black Soldier Fly Larvae as the first ingredient plus whole salmon for Omega 3 and 6. It is made as slow sinking micro granules, so you can offer a tiny pinch for shrimplets and small tank mates without clouding the tank when you dose carefully.
Ultra Fresh Baby Fish Food with 50% Sword Prawn is the other fine particle option I like for newborn grazing. It uses up to 50 percent wild sword prawn and akiami paste, softens quickly for easy digestion, and includes probiotics to help with waste breakdown and nutrient uptake. The maker notes no dusty residue and no oily film, which helps keep water cleaner when portions stay small.
If your budget is tight, keep the sinking staple as your base and skip extra specialty jars for now. You can stretch biofilm naturally with botanicals and moss, then add one fine food later when you see consistent breeding. Related reading on powdered options includes GlasGarten bacter AE shrimp (35g) vs professional shrimp food and GlasGarten shrimp baby food vs hikari shrimp cuisine sinking pellets.
Three Ways to Set This Up
Budget Starter for Neocaridina
Use Hikari Crab Cuisine, adapted in quantity to your own tank volume, as your single staple. Feed a tiny piece every other day, remove leftovers within a couple hours, and let moss and leaves grow biofilm between feedings.
This suits new keepers with a hardy cherry shrimp colony who want simple control and easy cleanup. If you want ideas for low tech setups, see best soil for neocaridina in a 10 gallon tank.
Balanced Version We Recommend for Caridina
Combine a small sinking staple with Repashy shrimp gel food, adapted in quantity to your own tank volume, fed on alternating days. Offer gel in thin, bite size pieces so shrimp graze steadily and you can remove the dish if interest fades.
This suits keepers with crystal shrimp who want variety without losing control. Keep flow gentle but steady, test regularly, and pause fine foods if grazing slows.
Higher End Version for Taiwan Bee
Use Fluval Bug Bites shrimp, adapted in quantity to your own tank volume, plus a fine baby formula for hatch periods. Feed micro granules in very small pinches and target them near moss where shrimplets hide.
This suits experienced keepers focused on shrimplet survival and color quality in sensitive Taiwan Bee lines. Keep maintenance strict, siphon gently, and favor frequent tiny feedings over one large meal.
FAQ
Does Bacter AE lower oxygen in a shrimp tank for 24 hours?
Any organic food can raise biological demand as it breaks down, which may reduce available oxygen if flow and surface exchange are weak. Keep aeration steady, dose lightly, and watch shrimp behavior and water clarity rather than guessing.
How much baby shrimp food should I feed in a small colony?
Portion size scales with colony size and tank bioload, not a fixed amount. Start with less than you think you need, feed only what is actively grazed, and remove uneaten food within a couple hours to avoid ammonia spikes.
What is the easiest baby safe food to remove if I overfeed?
Sinking pellets are easiest because they stay in one place for easy removal. Fine powders spread widely and cannot be siphoned cleanly, so use them sparingly and rely on biofilm, moss, and leaves for steady grazing.
Final Verdict
Powders can help babies graze, but control matters more than brand. A visible staple with light, targeted fine feeding keeps oxygen stable and cleanup simple across Neocaridina and Caridina tanks.
Our pick: the balanced Caridina version with gel food plus a sinking staple, because it gives variety for breeders while keeping portions easy to judge and remove.
These picks are not ideal if you already overfeed your tank; adding more food variety will not fix a bioload problem and can make water quality worse.
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