Do Salamanders Eat Shrimp?

If you’ve ever seen a salamander eat, you know they aren’t too picky. They snap at anything that moves and fits in their mouth. But shrimp? That’s something you usually think of in a seafood restaurant, not a salamander tank.

Yes, salamanders do eat shrimp. Small freshwater shrimp are a natural food source for many aquatic salamanders and larvae. Some pet salamanders will also eat brine shrimp, ghost shrimp, or even chopped-up cocktail shrimp in captivity.

It all depends on the species, the size of the shrimp, and whether the salamander sees it as food or just another tank mate.

Shrimp in the Wild

In the wild, many aquatic salamanders share ponds, streams, and wetlands with small shrimp. These are usually freshwater species like amphipods, scuds, or grass shrimp.

To a hungry salamander, they’re perfect prey. They’re soft-bodied, full of protein, and they move just enough to trigger a strike.

Wild salamander larvae, especially those living in permanent water sources, often feed on tiny shrimp-like creatures along with insect larvae, daphnia, and other small aquatic invertebrates.

Shrimp are just one part of a diet that includes anything that swims, crawls, or drifts by.

Even salamanders that live in caves have been found eating small cave shrimp that live in underground pools.

So yes, shrimp are definitely on the menu in the wild.

Can Pet Salamanders Eat Shrimp?

They sure can, if the shrimp are the right size and type.

Pet salamanders, especially aquatic species like axolotls, mudpuppies, and larval tiger salamanders, often enjoy shrimp as part of their diet. The key is using the right kind.

Safe Types of Shrimp

• Ghost shrimp: These are small, see-through freshwater shrimp often sold as feeders in pet stores. Many salamanders will hunt and eat them live.

• Brine shrimp: Tiny saltwater shrimp used to feed fish and baby amphibians. Best offered live or frozen in the larval stage.

• Frozen cocktail shrimp: Chopped into small pieces, these can be fed occasionally, but only if they’re unseasoned and thoroughly thawed.

• Daphnia and scuds: Not technically shrimp, but similar enough. These are tiny crustaceans often used as feeder food.

Avoid anything too large or anything that’s been cooked, spiced, or treated with preservatives.

Live vs. Frozen vs. Cooked

Salamanders usually prefer live food, especially when they’re young or aquatic. Movement is a big part of what triggers them to eat. That’s why ghost shrimp and live brine shrimp are popular, they wiggle just enough to catch attention.

Still, many salamanders can learn to eat frozen food, especially if they’ve been raised in captivity. Frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, or finely chopped frozen cocktail shrimp can be offered using tongs or placed gently in front of the salamander.

Cooked shrimp from the store should be a rare treat at most. Most of the nutrients are lost in cooking, and some may contain salt or additives that aren’t safe for amphibians. If you do try it, make sure it’s plain, unseasoned, and chopped very small.

How Often Can You Feed Shrimp?

Shrimp are great as part of a varied diet. They’re high in protein and usually easy to digest, but they shouldn’t be the only thing your salamander eats.

Here’s how they fit into a typical feeding routine:

• Live ghost shrimp: A few every couple of days for aquatic salamanders.

• Brine shrimp: Daily for larvae, or as a supplement for adults.

• Frozen shrimp: 1–2 times a week, mixed with other foods like worms or pellets.

• Chopped cocktail shrimp: Maybe once a week at most, and only in small amounts.

If your salamander is eating only shrimp and refusing everything else, you might want to cut back and reintroduce more natural prey like earthworms, bloodworms, or crickets.

What About Baby Salamanders?

Newly hatched salamanders are tiny and need food they can actually swallow. For the first few days, they rely on very small live prey.

That’s where baby brine shrimp come in.

These microscopic shrimp are one of the best first foods for hatchlings. They’re small, wiggly, and easy to digest. You can hatch your own at home using a brine shrimp kit, or buy them live or frozen from pet stores.

Older larvae may also eat:

• Daphnia (tiny water fleas)

• Scuds

• Chopped tubifex worms

• Microworms

So yes, even the smallest salamanders eat shrimp, just tiny ones.

Do Salamanders Eat Shrimp Tank Mates?

If you keep shrimp and salamanders in the same tank, don’t expect a peaceful cohabitation. Even if things look calm for a while, sooner or later, the shrimp will likely get eaten.

Ghost shrimp are often used as feeder shrimp because they’re cheap and easy to breed. Many owners drop them into a tank to give their salamander something to hunt.

Sometimes, shrimp are quick enough to survive for a few days. They might even help clean the tank. But eventually, most get eaten. That’s just how salamanders operate, if it moves, and it’s edible, it’s food.

Can Shrimp Be Dangerous?

Shrimp are generally safe, but there are a few things to watch out for:

• Pesticide exposure: Wild-caught shrimp or those raised in contaminated water can carry harmful chemicals.

• Parasites: Feeding raw shrimp from unknown sources (like the grocery store) could expose your salamander to parasites.

• Choking: If the shrimp is too big or has hard parts (like the shell or tail), it might be hard to swallow. Always chop it small.

To stay on the safe side, it’s best to feed shrimp raised specifically for pets, or at least shrimp that are well-rinsed and prepared properly.

Is Shrimp Better Than Worms?

Shrimp can be a solid part of a salamander’s diet, but most experts still recommend worms as the staple food, especially for terrestrial species.

Here’s a quick comparison:

So shrimp are great, just not a complete replacement for other staples like worms, bloodworms, or small insects.

Conclusion

So, do salamanders eat shrimp?

Yes, they do. Whether it’s baby brine shrimp for hatchlings or ghost shrimp for adults, shrimp are a natural, nutritious, and often enjoyable food for many salamanders.

They move just enough to trigger feeding, they’re soft enough to swallow, and they provide solid protein. Just make sure they’re the right size, properly prepared, and not the only thing on the menu.

Whether your salamander lives in a stream, a tank, or a muddy forest floor, chances are it wouldn’t say no to a well-timed shrimp snack.