Shrimp Lollies by Snail's Place are handcrafted treat sticks formulated specifically for dwarf freshwater shrimp — a slow-release enrichment feed built from six carefully selected ingredients that between them cover plant protein, mineral content, immune support, carotenoid pigmentation, and a high-value animal protein binder. The lolly format delivers feeding in a concentrated, slow-dissolving stick that the whole colony converges on — one of the most engaging and observable feeding events a shrimp tank produces. Designed and recommended for established colonies only: tanks with stable parameters, a functioning nitrogen cycle, and a shrimp population that is settled and actively grazing. Not recommended for new setups, tanks cycling, or recently introduced animals still acclimating.
The Ingredients
What's Inside & Why It's There
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Nettle
Plant protein, iron, and minerals — a highly palatable base ingredient shrimp seek out actively
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Mulberry
Leaf matter rich in protein and antioxidants — a traditional shrimp food known for strong acceptance
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Moringa
Dense in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals — supports overall vitality and immune function
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Bee Pollen
High-value natural protein and enzyme source — strongly attractive to shrimp, drives colony response
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Paprika
Natural carotenoid source — supports and enhances red and orange pigmentation in color-grade shrimp
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Egg White
High-quality animal protein binder — holds the lolly together during feeding and adds nutritional density
⚠️ Important — Read Before Feeding
Shrimp Lollies are recommended for established colonies in stable, cycled tanks only. The protein-rich ingredient profile — particularly bee pollen and egg white — releases organic material into the water as the lolly is consumed. In a mature, established tank with an active bacterial population this is processed normally. In a new or uncycled tank, or one with an unstable nitrogen cycle, the organic load can cause harmful ammonia spikes. Do not use during tank cycling, in the first weeks after a significant water change, or while medicating. For aquarium use only.
What to Expect
Feeding Behavior & Benefits
Draws the entire colony to a single visible feeding event — the combination of bee pollen, nettle, and mulberry produces a feeding response that reaches shrimp across the tank rapidly. Within minutes of introducing a lolly, individuals from across the substrate and plant mass converge on the feeding site — producing the kind of massed colony activity that makes shrimp tanks most satisfying to observe. The slow-dissolving lolly format sustains this activity for an extended period rather than the brief scatter-and-done response of flake or powder feeds.
Bee pollen drives the strongest feeding response — bee pollen is among the most powerfully attractive ingredients for dwarf shrimp — the enzymatic and protein profile produces a scent dispersion in water that shrimp respond to quickly and consistently. It is the primary driver of colony convergence in the Lolly formula and also one of the highest-value nutritional inclusions, providing natural enzymes, amino acids, and proteins not present in plant-only ingredients.
Paprika supports red and orange pigmentation naturally — carotenoids from paprika are incorporated into shrimp tissue and contribute to the depth and vibrancy of red and orange coloration in color-grade Neocaridina and Caridina. Regular feeding with carotenoid-containing foods is one of the few dietary tools available to keepers for supporting color expression alongside genetics and water parameters. The effect is cumulative over weeks of consistent feeding rather than immediate.
Mulberry and nettle provide highly palatable plant protein — both mulberry leaf and nettle are established shrimp foods with strong acceptance records in the hobby — shrimp graze them directly as botanicals and consume them readily in processed form. Together they form the plant protein base of the Lolly formula, providing a broad spectrum of amino acids, minerals, and plant compounds alongside the animal protein from egg white and bee pollen.
Moringa contributes dense micronutrient content — moringa leaf is among the most nutrient-dense plant ingredients available, with a profile covering essential amino acids, B vitamins, calcium, iron, and potassium alongside antioxidant compounds. In a shrimp diet it functions as a micronutrient supplement — filling gaps that staple foods may not cover consistently and supporting immune function and molting health over the long term.
Egg white binds the lolly and adds animal protein — egg white serves a dual function: it holds the lolly in its stick form during feeding — preventing the lolly from dissolving too rapidly into the water column — and contributes a high-quality, highly digestible animal protein that complements the plant proteins from the other five ingredients. The slow-dissolving structure egg white provides is what makes the lolly format possible and what sustains the extended colony feeding event.
How to Use
Feeding Guidelines
1
Confirm your tank is established before first use — Shrimp Lollies are for mature, stable, cycled tanks with an active shrimp colony that is settled and feeding normally on staple foods. If your tank is new, currently cycling, recently medicated, or your shrimp are still acclimating from a recent introduction, wait until conditions are fully stable before introducing Lollies. The protein load from bee pollen and egg white requires an established bacterial population to process safely.
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Feed one lolly per feeding, once or twice per week — Shrimp Lollies are an enrichment treat and supplement, not a replacement for a staple food diet. Feed one lolly per session, once or twice weekly alongside your regular feeding routine. In smaller tanks or less established colonies, start with once per week and observe water parameters after feeding before increasing frequency. Remove any unconsumed lolly after 24 hours to prevent water quality impact.
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Place directly on the substrate in a visible location — position the lolly on the substrate in an open, easily visible area of the tank where you can observe the colony response clearly. The convergence of the colony on a single feeding site is one of the most engaging behavioural events a shrimp tank produces — placing the lolly in an open, well-lit foreground position rather than behind hardscape or in a corner makes it fully observable from the front of the tank.
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Monitor water parameters when starting out — for the first two or three feeding sessions, test ammonia and nitrite in the 12–24 hours following a lolly feeding to confirm your tank's bacterial population is processing the organic load without issue. In a mature, well-established tank this will be a non-event. If you see any ammonia reading after feeding, reduce frequency or lolly size and increase surface agitation temporarily to support gas exchange while the bacterial colony catches up.
💡 Bonus Tip
Shrimp Lollies are one of the most reliable tools for doing a fast, accurate headcount of an established colony — the colony-wide convergence response brings shrimp out from inside moss, floating plant roots, substrate crevices, and every other refuge they spend most of their time hidden in. Drop a lolly in a visible foreground position, wait five to ten minutes, and count. You will see more of your shrimp in one place at one time during an active lolly feeding than at almost any other moment in normal tank life.
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Browse more shrimp food
Round out your feeding routine with staple foods, powdered feeds, and botanicals. Browse our Shrimp Food collection.
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