10 Best Aquarium Plants For Shrimps [2025]
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Finding the best aquarium plants for shrimps can be a challenging task, especially with the myriad of options available on the market. To simplify your search, we have meticulously shortlisted the top 10 products that not only enhance the aesthetic of your aquarium but also provide the ideal environment for your shrimp. Our curated list is designed to save you time and hassle, ensuring you make an informed choice that perfectly meets your aquatic needs.
Top 10 Aquarium Plants For Shrimps In The Market
Aquarium Plants For Shrimps Review
- Vibrant High Grade Colors: Neocaridina shrimp come in a wide array of vibrant colors, including cherry red, blue, yellow, green, and more. Their striking hues add visual interest and beauty to any aquarium setup.
- Size: Neocaridina shrimp will ship to you 20 shrimp that are in 0.5 - 1 inch in size, making them well-suited for nano and planted aquariums.Sending them in their near adults size helps signifcantly in the shipping process.
- Hardiness: These shrimp are known for their hardy nature, making them suitable for beginner aquarists. They can adapt well to a range of water parameters and conditions, making them resilient and easy to care for.
- Low Maintenance: Neocaridina shrimp have relatively low maintenance requirements, requiring basic care such as regular water changes, proper feeding, and monitoring of water parameters. Their ease of care makes them an ideal choice for aquarists of all experience levels.
- Available in 5-pound bag
- Great option for a variety of freshwater plants, shrimp, snails and tropical fish
- Promotes growth of a wide variety of freshwater plants
- Made from clay based material, which is great for aquascaping
- This clay substrate is spherical by design, maintaining shape and structure over time
- Promotes Robust Plant Growth: Stratum fosters vigorous plant development by facilitating easy root penetration and nutrient absorption, aiding in the acquisition of vital nutrients essential for growth
- Facilitates Rapid and Beneficial Colonization: Its porous structure enables swift colonization of beneficial nitrifying organisms, fostering a healthy aquatic environment crucial for the well-being of aquarium inhabitants
- Maintains Optimal pH Levels: Designed to sustain a neutral to slightly acidic pH range, ideal for supporting the growth of various plants, tropical fish, and shrimp commonly found in planted aquarium setups
- Offers Shelter for Newborn Shrimp: Stratum provides a safe haven for newborn shrimp, offering protection from potential predators until they reach a size where emerging into the main aquarium is viable
- Preserves Water Quality: Ensures water clarity by preventing discoloration and effectively manages organic discoloration, especially in the presence of natural driftwood, while being specifically formulated for use in freshwater aquariums
- Creates Conducive Ambiance for Shrimps --- Several breeds of shrimp have habitats in mountain streams surrounded by overhanging trees and brush, making the area abundant in fallen leaves and plant debris. Adding Shrimp leaves to their tank mimics their original habitat and gives them the privacy for reproducing. A must-have for all shrimp breeders, these provide a secure shelter for grown up shrimps and a convenient hiding spot for baby shrimps.
- Delicious Treat for Your Shrimps --- A few days after you place the shrimp leaves in the tank, they will slowly settle down to the bottom. As they settle, they soften on which shrimp love to graze on. This food provides a balanced diet and aids in building your shrimp’s system. Shrimp love this delicious treat and will eat the leaves right down to the skeleton.
- Raw Shrimp Leaves --- For the most beneficial addition to your shrimp tank, the SunGrow Shrimp Leaves are a good choice. While products available in the market may or may not be genuine, the medium catappa leaves are unprocessed. They vary in size with lengths of 4-7” (10-18 cm). If you have a smaller tank or varying size tanks, you can tear up the larger leaves into smaller pieces.
- A Must-Have for Shrimp Keepers --- These Indian Almond leaves are essential in keeping your shrimp happy. These leaves have beneficial properties that help in calming your shrimp (particularly important if you are introducing more or moving them).
- Handpicked for Optimum Quality --- If you pick the leaves outside, you cannot be sure of the quality they might have. PREPARATION: Before placing the product in the aquarium, rinse before use, even after boiling or soaking. A "post-boil soak" in fresh water is a recommended step, too.
- One of the easiest, hardiest LIVE aquarium plants! It grows practically under ANY conditions! B U Y 2 G E T 1 deal!
- Perfect LIVE AQUARIUM PLANT for peaceful community fish such as Betta, Guppies, Platies, Swordtails, Barbs and many others! Also great for Goldfish and Cherry Shrimp! Great for BEGINNERS!
- Excellent choice for new or established tanks as well as Ponds and decorative water bowls! Promotes healthy biological equilibrium in your miniature aquatic ecosystem! BB U Y 2 G E T 1 deal!
- LIVE AQUARIUM PLANTS will create MORE NATURAL LOOK in your fish tank, simultaneously providing MORE OXYGEN, BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION, HIDING PLACES for smaller fish etc. etc.
- No special care necessary! Low light! Low maintenance! This plant will thrive under practically any conditions! BUY2GET1!
- Excellent Aquarium Plants: Hornwort Coontail (2-3 Stems) is an ideal aquarium plant, offering a stunning touch as both a mid-ground and floating plant. It is an excellent choice for passionate hobbyists seeking to create a vibrant and natural underwater haven.
- Easy Propagation And Growth: These water plants are effortless to propagate, making them great additions for your aquarium. With their rapid growth and ability to propagate from cuttings, they quickly transform your aquatic environment into a lush oasis.
- Stunning Appearance: Our pond plants bring a beautiful effect to your aquarium with their vibrant green leaves, creating a captivating display. Whether you're a seasoned aquarist or a beginner, they are sure to impress and add a touch of enchantment to your underwater world.
- Natural Hiding Spots: These freshwater aquariums plants are perfect for creating a natural environment in your aquarium. Their dense foliage and stems provide natural hiding spots for your aquatic creatures, making them feel safe and helping them thrive.
- Live Plant Arrival: At Canton Aquatics, we professionally inspect and pack every plant to ensure live plants delivery. However, if for some reason you receive dead plants, you can simply send us a picture, and we will promptly replace them.
- PROMOTES HIGH WATER QUALITY: The Red Root Floater live aquarium plants help to improve the quality of water. The aquarium plant helps to remove toxic chemicals such as ammonia and nitrates from your aquarium.
- INCREASES BEAUTY: The bright red color of Canton aquatics red root floater helps to increase the beauty of your aquarium. These aquatic plants help to make your aquarium visually and aesthetically pleasing.
- GROWS IN LOW-LIGHT: The Canton aquatics Red Root Floater is ideal to grow in any environment. Even if there is insufficient or low light, this aquarium live plant can easily grow healthily.
- NATURAL HIDING PLACES: These floating aquarium plants provide cover and natural hiding places for your fish. In addition, the other inhabitants of your aquarium can also benefit from the natural hiding places.
- LIVE PLANTS ARRIVAL: We ensure that arrival of the red root floater aquarium plant is live. In any case, where a floating aquarium plant is found to be dead, you can always send us a photo and we will send another one upon verification.
- ORDER MIGHT BE CANCELLED IF THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85 OR BELOW 38 IN THE NEXT 7 DAYS
- 12 plants (60+ leaves) is enough to cover a circular area of 4" in diameter
- Low demanding, low to medium light, freshwater, floating plant
- Grow light is required if being kept indoor
- 100% Alive On Arrival (AOA) Guarantee, if there is any problem, just send us a message with the picture of the damaged product to receive a free replacement
- You will receive 1 qty. of high quality USA grown densely packed golf ball size Java Moss
- Java moss does not require any special attention. It accepts all kinds of water, even weakly brackish, and all kinds of light qualities. It grows best at 70 to 75° Fahrenheit (21 to 24° Celsius), but can live in temperatures of up to 85 to 90 °F (29 to 32 °C).
- It is especially popular among aquarists raising fry (baby fish) and tadpoles, to protect them from cannibalistic adults. Java moss can also provide food for the newly formed fry, which can be challenging to feed. Some shrimp like to feed on the miniature leaf like structures known as phyllids
- Java moss can be easily propagated via division. It is suitable for both aquariums and vivariums
- Live Arrival and Satisfaction Guaranteed
- Cholla driftwood sticks are great for creating a natural appearance, and adding additional hiding places for shrimp and small fish or climbing decorations for hermit crabs.
- Easily attach live plants such as anubias, bucephalandra, or even moss to create a natural sunken log effect, or place in reptile habitats to create a desert look.
- Consists of all-natural, organic dried husk of the Cholla cactus with a porous skeleton-like structure and soft texture.
- Each stick is approximately 4” long and 0.5-1.5 inches wide. You will receive randomly selected sizes both thin and thick.
- Boiling the wood prior to use is recommended and will reduce natural slight browning of your water and help them sink better as they are very light and will float initially. This will reduce over time.
Our Review Process
To ensure you get reliable product recommendations, we follow a detailed review methodology that includes:
- Market Research: Scanning best-selling and trending products in this category.
- User Feedback: Reviewing customer reviews, star ratings, and complaints.
- Hands-On Testing: Trying select products ourselves when feasible.
- Feature Comparison: Evaluating specs, durability, pricing, and safety.
- Expert Opinions: Consulting with niche experts or credible reviewers.
We independently select the top 10 options based on value, quality, and usability. To learn more, visit our detailed review process.
Key Considerations Before Buying Aquarium Plants for Shrimps
1. Compatibility with Shrimp Species
Different shrimp species have varying preferences and requirements when it comes to their environment. Before purchasing plants, ensure that they are compatible with the specific type of shrimp you plan to keep. Some plants may release substances that could be harmful to certain shrimp, while others can provide essential hiding places and grazing surfaces.
2. Light Requirements
Understanding the light requirements of the plants you are considering is crucial. Some aquatic plants thrive in low-light conditions, while others need high-intensity lighting to grow and flourish. Evaluate the lighting setup in your aquarium to ensure that the plants you choose will receive adequate light without causing excessive algae growth.
3. Growth Rate and Size
Consider the growth rate and mature size of the plants. Fast-growing plants can quickly dominate the aquarium and require more frequent trimming, while slow growers may not provide enough coverage over time. Additionally, ensure that the plants will not outgrow the tank space available, which could lead to overcrowding and poor water circulation.
4. Plant Care and Maintenance
Different plants have varying care requirements, including fertilization, pruning, and water conditions. Some may need CO2 supplementation for optimal growth, while others may thrive without it. Assess how much time and effort you are willing to dedicate to maintaining the plants to ensure a healthy environment for your shrimp.
5. Substrate Type
The substrate in your aquarium plays a crucial role in plant health. Some plants require nutrient-rich substrates to thrive, while others can adapt to a variety of substrates. Consider whether your aquarium has the appropriate substrate for the plants you wish to add and if any modifications are necessary.
6. Water Parameters
Different plants have specific water parameter preferences, including pH, hardness, and temperature. Check the compatibility of potential plants with the water conditions that you maintain in your aquarium. Ensuring that water parameters align with the needs of both the plants and the shrimp is vital for the overall health of the ecosystem.
7. Pest and Disease Resistance
Before introducing new plants into your aquarium, it’s important to consider the risk of pests and diseases. Some plants may come with snails, algae, or other unwanted organisms that can disrupt your tank’s balance. Purchase plants from reputable sources and inspect them thoroughly to minimize the risk of introducing pests.
8. Aesthetic Appeal
The visual layout of your aquarium is important for both enjoyment and the mental well-being of your shrimp. Consider the color, texture, and overall aesthetic of the plants you are considering. Choose plants that complement the other elements in your aquarium, creating a harmonious and visually pleasing environment.
9. Budget
Aquarium plants vary in price, and budgeting for both the initial purchase and ongoing maintenance is essential. Determine how much you are willing to invest in plants, considering factors like quality, rarity, and size. Keep in mind that higher-quality plants may have better survival rates and contribute to a healthier aquarium ecosystem.
FAQs
What are the best aquarium plants for shrimp tanks?
Some of the best aquarium plants for shrimp tanks include Java Moss, Anubias, Cryptocoryne, Water Sprite, and Hornwort. These plants provide hiding spots, help maintain water quality, and offer biofilm for the shrimp to graze on.
Do shrimp eat aquarium plants?
While most shrimp species do not eat healthy, established aquarium plants, they may nibble on decaying leaves or algae that grow on the plants. It’s essential to ensure the plants are healthy to avoid them being damaged by shrimp feeding.
How much light do aquarium plants need for shrimp tanks?
Aquarium plants generally require moderate light to thrive, but the exact needs can vary by species. A light duration of around 8-10 hours a day is recommended. Be cautious with very bright lights, as they can encourage algae growth, which may be harmful to shrimp.
Can I use fertilizers in a shrimp tank with plants?
Yes, you can use fertilizers in a shrimp tank, but it’s crucial to choose shrimp-safe products. Avoid fertilizers containing copper, as it can be toxic to shrimp. Liquid fertilizers and root tabs designed for planted tanks are typically safe if used correctly.
How can I provide hiding spots for shrimp in a planted aquarium?
In addition to live plants, you can enhance hiding spots by using driftwood, rocks, or ceramic decorations. Dense plant growth with species like Java Moss and Water Sprite can offer excellent cover for shrimp to feel secure and reduce stress.
Do shrimp require specific water conditions when keeping plants?
Yes, shrimp thrive in specific water conditions that also benefit most aquatic plants. Aim for stable pH levels between 6.5 and 7.5, a temperature range of 22-26°C (72-78°F), and low to moderate hardness. Regular water changes will help maintain optimal conditions.
How often should I prune aquarium plants in a shrimp tank?
Pruning frequency depends on the growth rate of the plants. Fast-growing plants may need trimming every 2-4 weeks, while slower-growing species can be pruned every few months. Regular pruning helps maintain plant health and prevents overcrowding.
Can I use floating plants in a shrimp tank?
Yes, floating plants like Duckweed and Water Lettuce can be beneficial for shrimp tanks. They provide shade, reduce light penetration (helping to control algae), and can serve as a food source for shrimp. Just ensure they do not block too much light from the plants below.
Are there any plants to avoid in shrimp tanks?
Some plants, such as those with sharp edges or toxic properties, should be avoided in shrimp tanks. Examples include certain species of Cacti and some commercially available aquatic plants treated with pesticides or herbicides. Always research plants before introducing them to your shrimp tank.
Can shrimp help in the maintenance of aquarium plants?
Yes, shrimp can contribute to the health of aquarium plants by grazing on algae and organic debris that may accumulate on plant leaves. Their waste also provides nutrients that can benefit plant growth, creating a balanced ecosystem in the tank.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, selecting the right aquarium plants for your shrimp tank is essential not only for the aesthetic appeal but also for the health and well-being of your shrimp. The ten plants we’ve highlighted in this article were carefully chosen based on their compatibility with shrimp species, ease of care, and overall benefits they offer to the aquatic environment. We considered factors such as growth rate, water parameters, and whether the plants provide adequate hiding spots and grazing opportunities for your shrimp. Each plant on our list has been vetted through extensive research and practical experiences, ensuring that they are suitable for both novice and experienced aquarists alike.
By following our guide and incorporating these top ten plants into your aquarium setup, you will create a thriving habitat that promotes the natural behavior of your shrimp while enhancing the biological balance of your tank. Not only will these plants contribute to the beauty of your aquarium, but they will also improve water quality and provide essential nutrients. Whether you are aiming to breed shrimp, maintain a vibrant community tank, or simply enjoy the serenity of an aquatic landscape, these plants are sure to enhance your overall experience. Happy aquascaping!