Makanan Udang Hiasan: What to Feed Aquarium Shrimp in Malaysia
The best makanan udang hiasan (food for aquarium shrimp) is a mix of natural biofilm and algae in a mature tank, plus small portions of shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables and dried leaves 2–4 times a week. Shrimp graze all day, so the most common mistake is overfeeding, not underfeeding. Give only what they finish in about 2–3 hours, then remove leftovers. This guide lists what to feed, including foods easy to find in Malaysia, how much, and how to tell if you're feeding too much.
Udang Hiasan Makan Apa? The Short List
| Food | What it gives | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biofilm and algae | Main natural diet | Constant | Grows on wood, plants, leaves and glass in mature tanks |
| Shrimp pellets / sticks | Protein, minerals, vitamins | 2–4 times a week | Choose shrimp-specific foods with calcium and minerals |
| Powdered / biofilm foods | Fine food for shrimplets | A few times a week in breeding tanks | Spread lightly; very easy to overdose |
| Blanched bayam (spinach) | Vegetable matter, minerals | Once or twice a week | Wash well and blanch |
| Blanched timun (cucumber) or zucchini | Soft vegetable | Once or twice a week | Weigh down with a fork or plant weight |
| Daun ketapang (catappa leaf) | Biofilm surface, tannins | Leave in tank | Shrimp graze it as it softens |
| Dried mulberry or guava leaves | Biofilm and grazing | Leave in tank | Use only pesticide-free leaves |
| Fish flakes / leftovers | Protein | Occasional | Shrimp in community tanks scavenge these |
| Frozen bloodworm (cacing darah) | High protein | Occasional treat | Small amounts only; fouls water quickly |
Natural Food: Biofilm Is Everything
Biofilm is the thin layer of bacteria, algae and microorganisms that coats every surface in a mature aquarium. For shrimp, it's the main diet. That's why:
- New tanks are bad for shrimp. A tank that has just cycled has little biofilm. Wait several weeks to a few months before adding shrimp, or plan to feed more carefully at first.
- More surface = more food. Driftwood, moss, rocks and leaves all grow biofilm. Java moss is the classic shrimp "pantry".
- Leaves help. Dried daun ketapang breaks down slowly and grows biofilm, while adding mild tannins. See our daun ketapang guide.
Shrimp Pellets and Prepared Foods
Prepared foods make sure shrimp get enough protein and minerals, especially in soft Malaysian water where minerals for moulting can be low.
What to look for:
- Made for shrimp, sinking, and stable in water for a few hours.
- Contains minerals such as calcium.
- No copper in the ingredients; copper is toxic to shrimp.
- Small pieces that a group can crowd around, so food isn't hogged by one shrimp.
Browse food for shrimps on FishyHub for pellets, sticks and powders from Malaysian sellers.
Vegetables: Local and Cheap
Many vegetables you buy at the pasar work well:
| Vegetable | How to prepare |
|---|---|
| Bayam (spinach) | Wash, blanch briefly in boiling water, cool, then add a leaf |
| Timun (cucumber) | Slice thin, blanch, weigh down |
| Zucchini | Slice, blanch, weigh down |
| Carrot | Blanch until soft; small slice only |
| Kangkung | Wash well and blanch; remove leftovers quickly |
Always wash vegetables well to remove pesticide residue, or choose organic. Pesticides can wipe out a whole colony. Remove uneaten vegetables within a few hours, or overnight at most.
Makanan Udang Hiasan: How Much and How Often?
| Tank situation | Feeding guide |
|---|---|
| Mature, planted tank with lots of biofilm | Pellets 2–3 times a week; vegetables once a week |
| Newer tank, less biofilm | Small amounts most days, watching closely |
| Breeding colony with many shrimplets | Add a fine powdered food a few times a week |
| Community tank with fish | Shrimp eat leftovers; drop a pellet near their hiding place so fish don't take everything |
The 2–3 hour rule: feed only as much as the shrimp clear within 2–3 hours. If food is still there the next morning, you fed too much.
A healthy shrimp colony that isn't swarming the food immediately is not necessarily hungry. They may simply be full from grazing.
Signs You're Overfeeding
- Leftover food growing white fuzz.
- Cloudy water or a bad smell.
- Planaria (small flat white worms on the glass) or hydra appearing. See planaria and hydra in shrimp tanks.
- Rising ammonia or nitrate readings.
- Sudden shrimp deaths.
Fix: cut feeding back, siphon leftovers and do a small water change with dechlorinated water.
Removing Leftovers
- Use a feeding dish: a small glass or ceramic dish on the substrate keeps food in one spot and makes cleanup easy.
- Siphon or net leftovers after a few hours.
- Don't let vegetables rot. In warm Malaysian water, food breaks down quickly.
- Snails help clean up small leftovers. See our siput akuarium guide.
Feeding Different Shrimp Types
- Neocaridina (cherry, yellow, blue): very easy; pellets, vegetables and biofilm. See our udang cherry care guide.
- Caridina (crystal red, bee shrimp): more sensitive; feed lightly with quality shrimp foods and keep the tank very clean.
- Amano shrimp: big appetite; eat algae, pellets and leftovers. They can steal food from smaller shrimp.
- Bamboo shrimp: filter feeders; need fine powdered food stirred into the current, not pellets on the bottom.
Holiday Feeding
Shrimp can easily go a week without extra food in a mature tank, because they graze biofilm. Before balik kampung, simply leave a couple of dried leaves in the tank. Don't use slow-release food blocks without testing them first, as some foul small shrimp tanks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Udang hiasan makan apa?
Udang hiasan makan biofilm, lumut dan sisa makanan dalam akuarium. Anda juga boleh beri pelet udang, sayur yang direbus seperti bayam dan timun, serta daun ketapang kering.
Berapa kali sehari perlu bagi makan udang hiasan?
Tidak perlu setiap hari jika akuarium sudah matang dan banyak biofilm. Cukup bagi pelet 2–4 kali seminggu, dalam jumlah yang boleh dihabiskan dalam masa 2–3 jam.
Can shrimp eat fish food?
Yes. Shrimp happily eat fish flakes and pellets, but shrimp-specific foods usually contain more minerals for moulting.
Is spinach safe for shrimp?
Yes, if washed thoroughly and blanched. Remove leftovers within a few hours.
Why aren't my shrimp eating the food?
They may already be full from biofilm, the food may be new to them, or water quality may be off. Test the water if they also look inactive or pale.
Shop shrimp food, Neocaridina shrimp and water test kits from Malaysian sellers on FishyHub.