Feeding Shrimp Kale

[richiep]

This is the first lot of kale this year to try on my shrimp tanks. First kale as 94mg of calcium per 100gm, it's one of the best if you can get shrimp to eat it, calcium is vital for the conditioning of the shell, so for the first time this year I cut the leaves into 2" square and put into boiling water for 12minutes this as softened it enough for the shrimp to break apart, not sure what would happen so I've added photos, the last photo between the ammano and cory and a few shrimp it all disappeared within 2hrs

 

[JtheFishMan]

All your shrimp obviously love 'em!

 

[Sheldon13]

I love your crs!

 

[JenC]

Such good looking shrimp!

 

[tjander]

So, I always thought that if you boiled any vegetables long enough (> then blanched )it looses it minerals content to the water. Not so?

 

[richiep]

That's the secret not to cook it to long or it dose loose its goodness but is needs to be cooked long enough so the shrimp can break it up, if you see your shrimp not bothering with it could be the problem, when I first try any veg it's a bit time consuming to get it right, any cooking times I put here on fishlore have been well tested and right for that particular food.

 

[tjander]

As always Sir good info. I would have never figured 12 minutes but if you say so that’s what I will try.

 

[richiep]

As always Sir good info. I would have never figured 12 minutes but if you say so that’s what I will try.

Kale is a much denser leaf than the others and shrimp can't break into it if it's not soft enough, you can try cooking a little less but I found 12minutes just right, it's always nice to have your input

 

[tjander]

Two questions, what are you using to pin it or hold it in place. And how long do you think you could leave it in the tank. Assuming it’s not fully eaten.

 

[richiep]

This is what I use for anything that floats kebab sticks with led on the bottom and push the leaves on careful as they will split, I put them in the tank in the evening and if they are still feeding leave them all night or put them in at lights out and remove in the morning, I've been doing it that way since I can remember and never had water problems, I push the stick into the substrait

 

[tjander]

Good deal. I like the bamboo sticks to hold it down. Good idea

 

[richiep]

JessicaSwanlake

 

[Elkwatcher]

Somewhere I saw a video where a shrimp guru made his own food sticks from powdered Kale.... have you ever tried that richie.p? Would it retain it's nutrients if it was dehydrated in a microwave?

 

[richiep]

Somewhere I saw a video where a shrimp guru made his own food sticks from powdered Kale.... have you ever tried that richie.p? Would it retain it's nutrients if it was dehydrated in a microwave?

This is my latest I've dehydrated leaves of all sorts powdered them down the next stage it to bind with egg and corn flower the put it back in the dehydrator for 5hrs and see how they like it

 

[Elkwatcher]

This is my latest I've dehydrated leaves of all sorts powdered them down the next stage it to bind with egg and corn flower the put it back in the dehydrator for 5hrs and see how they like it

That looks good! Going to get some organic Kale today!

 

[tjander]

Richie I tried the Kale today. Seems like not all of my shrimp massed to it. Though I did see a lot of it eaten. How often are you giving your Kale? I was thinking like twice a week and substitute Other food on the middle day. What are you doing?

 

[richiep]

I only feed it once a week as I also feed other veg, I dropped the mushroom and put kale in but I also feed spinach, zucchini, broccoli, and if I'm out of them I'll mix things around, once a week will be fine, feed it to them after the your normal fasting day

 

[tjander]

Thanks

 

[BillynJennifer]

I didn't realize that Kale had that much Calcium. With veggies being at their peak right now, I'm going to pick up some organic Kale and cut into pieces and freeze it.