Best Plants for Shrimp Tanks: Top Picks for Cherry & Amano Shrimp

Choosing the best plants for shrimp tanks is about more than aesthetics — the right plants provide essential grazing surfaces, hiding spots for molting, and biofilm that shrimp feed on 24/7. Whether you're keeping Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, or Crystal Reds, these plants will create the perfect environment.

Here are our top picks based on years of shrimp-keeping experience and customer feedback.

Why Plants Matter in Shrimp Tanks

• Biofilm surfaces: Plants grow biofilm — the primary food source for shrimp between feedings
• Molting cover: Shrimp are vulnerable after molting and need dense plantings to hide in
• Baby shrimp survival: Shrimplets need cover from fish predators — dense plant growth is essential
• Water quality: Plants absorb ammonia and nitrates, creating the pristine water conditions shrimp need
• Natural behavior: Planted tanks encourage natural foraging and grazing behavior

The 10 Best Plants for Shrimp Tanks

1. Java Moss (Best Overall for Shrimp)

Why shrimp love it: Maximum biofilm surface area | Light: Low | Difficulty: Easy

Java Moss is the undisputed champion of shrimp tanks. Its dense, fine structure provides massive surface area for biofilm growth — shrimp will constantly pick through it for microscopic food. It also provides perfect shelter for baby shrimp, significantly improving survival rates in breeding colonies. Attach it to driftwood, rocks, or create a moss carpet.

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2. Christmas Moss

Why shrimp love it: Dense branching pattern traps food particles | Light: Low-Medium | Difficulty: Easy

Christmas Moss has a tighter, more structured growth pattern than Java Moss, with branches that look like tiny Christmas trees. This structure is excellent for trapping food particles and growing biofilm. Many serious shrimp breeders prefer it over Java Moss for its neater appearance and slightly denser growth.

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3. Subwassertang (Round Pellia)

Why shrimp love it: Soft, rounded fronds perfect for grazing | Light: Low | Difficulty: Easy

Subwassertang is a liverwort that grows in soft, rounded clumps. Shrimp adore it — they'll climb through it constantly, grazing on the biofilm that accumulates on its surface. It's especially popular in Crystal Red Shrimp tanks. Place it in low-flow areas where it can form dense cushions.

4. Anubias Nana Petite

Why shrimp love it: Broad leaves = perfect grazing platforms | Light: Low | Difficulty: Easy

The broad, flat leaves of Anubias are like dining tables for shrimp — you'll regularly see them perched on leaves, picking at biofilm. Anubias Nana Petite is the ideal size for nano shrimp tanks. Attach to small stones or driftwood for a natural look. Shrimp also love grazing on the exposed rhizome.

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5. Java Fern

Why shrimp love it: Textured leaves with excellent biofilm | Light: Low | Difficulty: Easy

Java Fern's slightly rough leaf texture holds biofilm exceptionally well. The Windelov (lace) variety is especially good for shrimp — its finely divided leaf tips create tons of surface area for grazing. Baby shrimp also hide among the plantlets that grow on mature leaves.

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6. Bucephalandra

Why shrimp love it: Slow growth = heavy biofilm accumulation | Light: Low-Medium | Difficulty: Easy-Medium

Bucephalandra's slow growth rate means thick biofilm builds up on its leaves — shrimp love grazing on mature Buce leaves. The diverse colors (green, blue, red) also make your shrimp pop visually. Attach to hardscape; never bury the rhizome.

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7. Floating Plants (Amazon Frogbit / Salvinia)

Why shrimp love it: Trailing roots = aerial grazing surfaces | Light: Medium | Difficulty: Easy

Floating plants like Amazon Frogbit and Salvinia dangle roots into the water column. These roots accumulate biofilm and provide vertical grazing surfaces that shrimp actively use. Floating plants also dim the light, which many shrimp species (especially Caridina) prefer.

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8. Monte Carlo (Best Carpet for Shrimp)

Why shrimp love it: Dense carpet provides ground-level cover | Light: Medium-High | Difficulty: Medium

A Monte Carlo carpet creates a lush green floor that shrimp graze across constantly. Baby shrimp hide within the dense mat, dramatically improving shrimplet survival. Requires more light than low-tech options, but the result is stunning. CO2 helps but isn't strictly required in some setups.

9. Hornwort

Why shrimp love it: Fast-growing, excellent water purifier | Light: Low-High | Difficulty: Easy

Hornwort's fine, needle-like leaves provide surface area for biofilm and shelter for baby shrimp. Its fast growth rate makes it an excellent nitrate sponge — important in smaller shrimp tanks where parameters can shift quickly. Float it or weight it down.

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10. Indian Almond Leaves (Catappa)

Why shrimp love it: Not a plant per se, but essential for shrimp tanks

While technically not a live plant, Indian Almond Leaves are a must-have in shrimp tanks. They release tannins that lower pH (beneficial for Caridina shrimp), and as they decompose, they create a biofilm buffet that shrimp graze on for weeks. Add 1-2 leaves per 10 gallons.

Best Plant Combinations by Shrimp Type

Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina) — Easy Setup

Java Moss + Anubias Nana Petite + Amazon Frogbit. Tolerant of a wide pH/GH range, these plants work perfectly in the 68-78°F, pH 6.5-8.0 conditions Cherry Shrimp prefer.

Crystal Red/Black Shrimp (Caridina) — Specialized Setup

Christmas Moss + Bucephalandra + Subwassertang + floating plants for shade. These shrimp need soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5) and lower light — all of these plants thrive in those conditions.

Amano Shrimp — Algae Cleanup Crew

Java Fern + Anubias + Hornwort. Amano Shrimp are larger and hardier, so any of the plants on this list work. Pair them with plants that develop algae in moderate light — the Amanos will keep everything clean.

🌿 Shop Shrimp Tank Plants at Canton Aquatics

Build the perfect shrimp habitat. Canton Aquatics ships 500+ species with our Live Arrival Guarantee.

• 🛒 Aquarium Moss (Java, Christmas, Weeping)
• 🛒 Anubias
• 🛒 Bucephalandra
• 🛒 Floating Plants
• 🛒 Low Light Plants

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best plant for a shrimp tank?

Java Moss is considered the best overall plant for shrimp tanks. It provides maximum biofilm surface area for grazing, dense cover for molting and baby shrimp, and grows easily in any conditions without CO2 or strong lighting.

Do shrimp need live plants?

Shrimp can survive without live plants, but they thrive with them. Plants provide biofilm (a primary food source), hiding spots during vulnerable molting periods, shelter for baby shrimp, and natural water filtration. Breeding success rates are significantly higher in planted tanks.

Will shrimp eat my aquarium plants?

Shrimp don't eat healthy plants. They graze on the biofilm, algae, and decomposing matter that grows ON plants. In fact, shrimp help keep plants clean by removing algae from leaves. They may eat dying or melting plant leaves, which is actually beneficial cleanup.