Do shrimp eat fish poo? And couple of other shrimp questions

[Vladdy]

I got play sand as my substrate, and I wanted some shrimp so that they would clean all of the poo stuff that accumulates on top of the sand. Do they eat leftover fish flakes that lay on the bottom of the tank? And will shrimp uproot or eat plants? Also, do most shrimp eat algae? Thanks for helping me decide on whether I should get them. I had crayfish and they nearly ate my micro sword, which was my favorite plant. I don't want to make the same mistake again.

[epicfish]

Will they eat fish waste? I'd have to say not in an appreciable amount.

Yes, they'll eat leftover fish food at the bottom of the tank.

No, they will not uproot or eat plants.

[Superedwin]

Originally Posted by epicfish

Will they eat fish waste? I'd have to say not in an appreciable amount.

Yes, they'll eat leftover fish food at the bottom of the tank.

No, they will not uproot or eat plants.

Well said +1

Do you know what kind of shrimp you getting?
Also are there any other inhabitants in this tank?

[Vladdy]

There's a tiger barb and a molly. The tiger barb leaves the molly alone. I wanted to get ghost shrimp or amano shrimp.

[Superedwin]

Ok i replied your pm

[southerndesert]

In a well matured tank bio film will breakdown "eat" fish poop and in turn your shrimp will graze on the bio film, but as stated above they do not feed on feces itself.

[dbosman@msu.edu]

Ghost shrimp are usually sold as feeders in LFS so I'd say go for a dozen or so, not just one. They are small enough not to adversely affect your bio load, and with a bunch you will have a chance of seeing one once in a while.