Shrimp Lollies: What Are They and How Should You Feed Them?

Shrimp lollies are food-coated sticks designed for aquarium shrimp to graze on. They make it easier to observe a group of Caridina and Neocaridina feeding and to vary the type of food offered. However, lollies are supplementary food: they should not replace the biofilm and natural resources found in a mature tank.

What are shrimp lollies used for?

The coating on the stick provides a broad grazing surface that several shrimp can access at once. Unlike a pellet placed in one spot, a lolly makes it easy to watch different members of the colony as they gather: adults, juveniles and berried females may become easier to observe.

The interest is therefore twofold: offering a different food format and improving observation. A strong feeding response does not mean you should keep adding food.

How to feed a shrimp lolly

1. Choose a visible, accessible location in the tank.
2. Push the wooden end gently into suitable substrate, or place it in a shrimp lolly holder.
3. Allow the shrimp to graze naturally on the coating. Some colonies approach immediately while others take longer.
4. Watch how much is actually eaten and remove unused food if it remains.
5. Once the coating has been eaten, remove the wooden stick.

Adapt portions to the size of the colony, the amount of natural biofilm and any other food already provided. There is no universal daily schedule suitable for every aquarium.

Standard or mini lollies: how many shrimp?

As a practical SHRIMPSFOOD starting point, use approximately one standard 25 cm lolly for 50 shrimp or one 15 cm Mini Lolly for 20–30 shrimp. These are approximate feeding guides rather than fixed rules. In a small or newly set-up aquarium, less may be sufficient.

In nano tanks, the 15 cm format is convenient because the total amount of food on a standard stick may be excessive for a small colony. The aim is to avoid leaving food to break down in the water.

Which shrimp lolly recipe should you choose?

Choose recipes to vary ingredients rather than expecting one product to solve all nutritional needs. The SHRIMPSFOOD range includes:

• Nettle & Spirulina — plant-based ingredients widely used in shrimp foods.
• Paprika & Spirulina — a different combination; the recipe includes egg.
• Spinach & Spirulina — another plant-based option; the recipe includes egg.
• Moringa & Spirulina — for alternating with other recipes; the recipe includes egg.
• Premium Lollies — a blend with chlorella, fennel, nettle, moringa and egg.

Always check the individual product ingredient list, particularly if you need to avoid a specific ingredient. For more choice, see the assortment of 40 shrimp lollies; the precise mix can vary with availability. SHRIMPSFOOD foods are artisan-made near Rennes in Brittany, France.

Can Caridina and Neocaridina eat the same lollies?

Many freshwater aquarium varieties, including Crystal Red, Taiwan Bee, Red Cherry and Blue Dream, can graze on these supplementary food sticks. What matters most is that the tank has appropriate stable water conditions and enough other food resources. Lollies are not a substitute for a mature aquarium.

Can baby shrimp eat lollies?

Young shrimp may graze on a lolly, but they often stay close to moss, roots and hiding places. A colony with juveniles should have food resources available across the aquarium. Natural biofilm and small food particles remain important; a single stick in one corner cannot meet every juvenile's needs.

Lollies or pellets: do you need both?

The formats complement one another. Pellets provide a measurable feeding portion; a lolly offers a shared grazing surface. Both can fit into a varied feeding routine, with natural leaves and biofilm. Read our detailed guide on pellets, lollies and powder for aquarium shrimp.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Feeding an entire large lolly to a very small colony without monitoring consumption.
• Using lollies as the only food source instead of supplementing biofilm and a varied diet.
• Leaving uneaten food to decompose in the aquarium.
• Increasing quantities simply because shrimp gather quickly.
• Overlooking the importance of stable water parameters for Caridina and Neocaridina.

Frequently asked questions

Why do shrimp gather on a lolly?

Its coating spreads food over a stick that multiple shrimp can graze at the same time.

How often can I offer a shrimp lolly?

There is no fixed frequency. Consider tank maturity, population size, feeding speed and other foods offered; include lollies as part of a rotation rather than an automatic extra meal.

Is a shrimp lolly suitable for a nano aquarium?

Yes, provided the quantity matches the number of shrimp. A 15 cm Mini Lolly may be more convenient than a standard 25 cm stick for a small population.

Can lollies replace pellets?

No single supplementary food format needs to dominate. A balanced routine relies on the aquarium's natural resources and measured supplemental feeding.

Where to find natural shrimp lollies

Explore the SHRIMPSFOOD shrimp lollies collection to compare recipes and sizes. For the broader feeding principles, read the Caridina and Neocaridina feeding guide.