Do Shrimp Really Need Carbs?

[JustAFishServant]

I've heard many times here on Fishlore that shrimp (especially the Neocaridina genus) need carbs in their diet. But here's the thing; fish can't use them (things like rice, corn, or wheat germ in goldfish or koi food is completely useless), so what makes us believe neo shrimp can, and on top of that, should?

Can anyone elaborate on this please? Thanks all

 

[FishDin]

A quick Google turns up a lot of info about this.

The ability to use carbohydrates as an energy source varies widely among fish, shrimp, and terrestrial animals. Fish and shrimp use carbohydrates less efficiently than other animals (Guo et al. 2006). A negative physiological effect results from glucose saturation and high digestive system saturation (Shiau 1998).

 

[V1K]

I think that carbs in question should come in a form of vegetables, not grains or potatoes. Naturally, shrimp eat on algae and stuff, so obviously there's more carbs in their diet than protein or fat, but they're not starchy either. So you'd give them plant based food and vegetables of the same sort you'd give to herbivorous fish, like cucumber, lettuce, zuccini, peas, etc.

 

[JustAFishServant]

I think that carbs in question should come in a form of vegetables, not grains or potatoes. Naturally, shrimp eat on algae and stuff, so obviously there's more carbs in their diet than protein or fat, but they're not starchy either. So you'd give them plant based food and vegetables of the same sort you'd give to herbivorous fish, like cucumber, lettuce, zuccini, peas, etc.

The ability to use carbohydrates as an energy source varies widely among fish, shrimp, and terrestrial animals. Fish and shrimp use carbohydrates less efficiently than other animals (Guo et al. 2006). A negative physiological effect results from glucose saturation and high digestive system saturation (Shiau 1998).

Exactly what I thought. I keep seeing "shrimp food" with potato, corn, wheat, and soy. I didn't think they should eat that. Doesn't seem right for aquatic pets to eat dry-weather, terrestrial plants like potatoes...

 

[Blacksheep1]

Just to throw a spanner in the works here … I haven’t tried or done this. But mark knows his stuff when it comes to shrimp. I doubt he would feed anything dangerous just for a video or likes. Not his style .

also , surely natural foods , in variety are better than a poorly prepared cheap filler food. A decent food with good ingredients sure ! But who wants to eat the same thing every day? Variety is key in my opinion.

 

[JustAFishServant]

Just to throw a spanner in the works here … I haven’t tried or done this. But mark knows his stuff when it comes to shrimp. I doubt he would feed anything dangerous just for a video or likes. Not his style .

Feeding rice to shrimp? I mean, rice is aquatic. Neocaridina shrimp originate from southern China which is also where rice originated. I suppose it makes at least some sense.

But still, if fish can't typically digest carbohydrates including rice, I have a hard time convincing myself that freshwater shrimp, who live among fish in the wild, would do the same.

I guess it depends on the person. Wonder if anyone has ever raised their shrimp on a virtually carb-free diet? Just low carb vegetables, algae, and aufwuchs. No corn, wheat, soy, rice, etc.

 

[Blacksheep1]

He also feeds cooked pasta in one video. You only have to watch two videos of his to know he knows what he’s doing. He’s not going to post something , knowing people will try it , for the detriment to the shrimps of his followers.

Im not saying he’s right, I’m not saying I’ve tried it , but I am saying he’s no fool.

 

[JustAFishServant]

He also feeds cooked pasta in one video. You only have to watch two videos of his to know he knows what he’s doing. He’s not going to post something , knowing people will try it , for the detriment to the shrimps of his followers.

Im not saying he’s right, I’m not saying I’ve tried it , but I am saying he’s no fool.

Oh yeah, I've been watching his videos for many years, but what I'm saying is I don't think it's necessary. You can feed goldfish wheat germ - it won't particularly harm them, but it won't do them any good either. Same with ground wheat, oats, corn, soy, rice, gluten, potato, yeasts, sugar, etc. Intentionally adding carbs to your tank can result in bacterial blooms and aufwuchs, because those are little guys that use carbs, sugars, and starches as an energy source. But shrimp? I have a hard time believing it. I feel like it's the whole myth again of "carbs are great for koi!" In reality, it's just fillers to make koi feel full when in reality, they never even took in any nutrients to begin with. I suspect the whole "shrimp need carbs" thing started as a marketing strategy to convince people that adding corn meal was good for their pets, then hobbiests took it as fact. "If my trusted foods say it's beneficial, then it must be!" In reality, it's likely utterly useless for goldfish, koi, and shrimp.

As humans, we're not supposed to eat tree bark as we can't digest it, yet people take powdered cellulose. Many think alkaline water is a cure for all disease, but high pH is instantly neutralized to 1.5-3 by stomach acid, yet companies still claim it's beneficial based on 0 evidence.

What I'm saying; whoever feeds pasta to shrimp aren't intentionally trying to harm their shrimp or their viewers'. It's misinformation is all.

 

[Blacksheep1]

I don’t doubt the basic nutritional information. But variety is always good. As humans we know this to be true.
Like I say I haven’t tried this , and I probably won’t. I feed green veggies to my shrimp in variety , with bacter ae in very small quantities , a shrimp pellet in small quantities but it’s mainly greenery.
It works for me so I’ll stick to it .

surely there’s enough carbs in the fresh veg to fill the fibre / carb / vitamin / calcium etc needs . If not then I’ll deep dive and research into what’s missing .
Some folk keep shrimp unfiltered , in out door tubs , with ice on top. Does it work ? Yep. Would I do it ? Not yet …

What I'm saying; whoever feeds pasta to shrimp aren't intentionally trying to harm their shrimp or their viewers'. It's misinformation is all.

Is it misinformation though ? We know shrimp graze and need vegetables in their diet. But who talks about how much protein shrimp need ? When you look at what makes up the exo skeleton and understand the proteins / calcium / minerals they need to successfully moult , who knows what they actually need in what amounts ? We just know what works and what doesn’t and regurgitate it. I mean that in a positive way , as we are all trying to help the next shrimper and there shrimp right ?
But some people carefully plan a tank and it doesn’t work , some throw culls into outdoor tubs with ice on the surface and it works !? Some folk use carefully conditioned water with specific parameters and a set amount to water change religiously, others do a 50% none temp matched and it still works ! Sulawesi shrimp need a completely different set up to neos or caridina and are notoriously difficult. Yet amanos are caridina and do fine in most set ups, they are known for being “hardy”. But I’d not just Chuck any other caridina shrimp in a set up and hope they ‘clean’ .

theres so many approaches to fish and shrimp keeping , everyone does it different , everyone has the ONE thing that cracked it for them and now swears by it . Truth is we all have different water and different schedules and approaches.

Im all for people sharing what works for them though as it may help that one person who’s desperately searching for an answer. If you want to try a grain of rice or a cooked fussili go for it. Just don’t let food sit and contaminate the water quality. Same for the newest spirulina powder , leaf , pellet , or dried zucchini slice.

Check what’s in the ingredients list in most commercial prepared food , you’ll likely find one of the ingredients you listed. But foods are sooo much better now than what they used to be.
Again I’ll advocate a varied diet over feeding one food consistently because it’s just works better , a balanced diet is better that a kfc everyday . It’s also relative to species !

 

[JustAFishServant]

I don’t doubt the basic nutritional information. But variety is always good.

I’ll advocate a varied diet over feeding one food consistently because it’s just works better , a balanced diet is better that a kfc everyday . It’s also relative to species !

Exactly. Most people feed 1 type of food to their bettas. Do some people's bettas who only eat 1 type of food live for a few years? Sure. Is it best for them? Absolutely not. I love curry, but I can't just eat 1 type of curry all day, every day, for my whole life. I eat many types of fruits, veg, grains, meats (fish and bugs included), and legumes.

To betta fish, I feed 6 brands of pellets, 3 flakes, 6 frozen, 3-4 freeze-dried very occasionally (they don't usually like it), and 4 live. Every betta in my home was a rescue, the oldest being 8 years old and the second oldest being 6. Do I think they could've lived that long with a less varied diet? Maybe. Do I think it's good for them? No way.

"Variety is the spice of life" is true for every animal on this planet; human, fish, or shrimp alike.