Amano Shrimp Feeding

I’m thinking about getting some amano shrimp in my 10 gallon tank that has a betta (he is rather small and has done well with snails, endlers, and Cory cats, so he most likely should be fine).

I know that amano shrimp are algae eaters and eat leftover food, but I plan on providing occasional algae wafers. I have a few questions though:
Do they also need blanched veggies? Also, what kind of calcium supplements do you recommend? How often should I give them food?
Thanks so much in advance

 

Ooo I love shrimp. For the food, you should alternate between the veggies and the algae wafers. A piece of zucchini will last 10 adult shrimp about 3-4 days since you don't want wasted food. Even when it looks like the vegetable has disappeared, you want to leave it for a day or two, since they might carry piece of it off somewhere or it might just dissolve. As for the wafers, I feed my five shrimp about half of a normal-sized round tablet every 3-4 days, and they finish it of pretty good.

Not very sure about the calcium supplements. I just drop a cuttlebone in there, and mine don't seem to have any trouble with their calcium intake.

 

Do they also need blanched veggies?
In short, no. Most people feeding blanched veggies do it because they enjoy the process of feeding their animals a more customized diet, but it's really unnecessary.

Also, what kind of calcium supplements do you recommend?
I never supplemented my Amanos with any calcium supplement, although they do on occasion eat Hikari Crustacean pellets.

How often should I give them food?
My Amanos usually just eat algae, detritus, and leftover fish food. Occasionally, I'll give them a Hikari pellet or two, once a week or once a month, if that. Really, whenever I feel like it. It doesn't seem to affect their health either way. I would just be careful that you don't end up overfeeding your betta and other fish, while trying to target feed your Amanos. Even a small algae wafer will be too large for 4-5 Amanos to handle by themselves, so I'd be cautious and break them into quarters to feed. This way your betta won't gorge itself to death.

Whatever food you choose, once or twice a week is more than sufficient. I think any more than that is overkill in that shrimp don't eat this well in the wild. They normally eat foods with very low nutritional value, so I try to make them scavenge and work for their food, rather than feed them specifically.

 

Caution, with algae wafers Amanos tend to carry the entire wafer and go hide, so no other shrimp or animals get it. I do not give them food on their own, but I also keep fish so some left over food may make it to the bottom. I believe they eat algae and that is sufficient enough.

 

Yes, I agree with RedGallant. They do try to steal the food, and I'd suggest that you break the pellet/tablet into chuncks. I break a 1/2 inch tablet into about 6 pieces.