How to Feed Snowflake Pellets (Without Overdoing It)

When it comes to feeding shrimp, less is usually more. But snowflake pellets are a funny exception — you can leave them in the tank for days, yet it’s still possible to overdo it if you’re not careful. The trick is learning how to use them properly so they support your colony instead of smothering it.

I’ve seen new shrimp keepers drop in a handful, thinking more pellets mean more shrimp happiness. Fast-forward a week, and they’re wondering why their substrate looks like porridge. Let’s fix that. Here’s exactly how to feed snowflake the right way — safely, effectively, and without turning your tank into a mushy mess.

🌨️ What Makes Snowflake Pellets Different?

Most shrimp foods dissolve or decay within hours. Snowflake pellets, on the other hand, slowly decompose into a soft, fungal-rich fluff that shrimp feed on for days. That’s their beauty — and the reason you don’t need much.

Each pellet becomes a mini ecosystem, feeding not just your shrimp, but the bacteria, fungi, and microfauna that make up a healthy aquarium. It’s like dropping in a little biofilm generator that keeps your shrimp busy long after you’ve gone to bed.

New to snowflake food? You might want to read this first: What Are Snowflake Pellets for Shrimp?

📏 How Much Snowflake Should You Feed?

The golden rule is simple: feed for your shrimp count, not your tank size.

Here’s a quick guide:

• 10–20 shrimp: ¼ of a pellet
• 20–50 shrimp: ½ of a pellet
• 50–100 shrimp: 1 full pellet
• 100+ shrimp: 2 pellets, spaced apart

Snowflake expands and softens as it breaks down, so even a small piece can feed a surprising number of shrimp. When in doubt, start smaller than you think — it’s easy to add more later.

🕐 How Often Should You Feed It?

Once or twice a week is plenty for most colonies. Snowflake isn’t a daily meal; it’s a long-term supplement that keeps your shrimp fed between regular feedings of green or protein-rich foods.

In my tanks, I’ll drop in a small piece on Sunday, then rotate to something different mid-week — usually ShrimpSense Nettle Pellets or a spirulina wafer. By the time I return to Snowflake again, the previous piece has been completely grazed down and the tank is spotless.

That slow rhythm keeps things balanced — shrimp always have food, but nothing ever piles up.

🔍 Where to Place the Pellet

Placement actually matters more than most keepers realise. A pellet sitting on a bare patch of substrate will behave very differently from one tucked into moss or under driftwood.

• For small colonies: Place the pellet near a grazing area — moss, cholla, or a leaf — so shrimp can nibble safely.
• For larger tanks: Break the pellet into two or three smaller pieces and scatter them across the tank to prevent crowding.
• For baby tanks: Drop a small piece near cover — babies will find it faster there.

If you’re using a feeding dish, that’s fine too, but remember — the fungus grows best on natural surfaces. Don’t be afraid to let it touch the wood or moss.

⚠️ The Big Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfeeding: Two pellets in a 20-litre tank is too much. One is plenty — it will last several days.
• Mixing foods together: Don’t bury snowflake under other pellets or powders. It needs space and time to grow fungus.
• Removing it too soon: The white fluff is the good part! Don’t siphon it out thinking it’s mould — that’s what shrimp eat.
• Starting with old water: Snowflake works best in mature tanks with stable biofilm populations.

Once you’ve got your rhythm, Snowflake will quietly maintain itself — and your shrimp will reward you with steady breeding and zero fuss.

🧠 A Simple Feeding Schedule

Here’s the feeding routine that’s worked beautifully for me and countless other shrimp keepers:

That’s it. Everything else in between is handled by the tank’s natural biofilm and microfauna. No cloudy water, no overfeeding, just a balanced rhythm that keeps your shrimp healthy and your water clear.

💡 Bonus Tip: Use Snowflake to Season New Tanks

One of my favourite “sneaky” tricks is to use snowflake before adding shrimp. Drop in a small piece once the tank is cycled and let it decompose for a week. The fungus and bacteria that grow from it help jumpstart your biofilm population.

When you finally add shrimp, they’ll find a ready-made buffet waiting — no starvation period, no sudden die-offs.

🛒 My Go-To Choices

If you want to keep things simple, I always recommend starting with ShrimpSense Snowflake Pellets. They’re clean, consistent, and easy to portion. Pair them with ShrimpSense Nettle Pellets or ShrimpSense Spirulina Complete for a balanced, natural feeding rotation.

It’s a combination that supports growth, colour, and breeding — all without you needing to overthink the schedule.

✅ Key Takeaway

The secret to snowflake isn’t feeding more — it’s feeding smarter. Small, consistent portions give your shrimp what they need while keeping your tank stable and clean. Once you get that balance right, you’ll notice calmer shrimp, cleaner water, and far better baby survival.

Try this for a month: half a pellet once a week. Let it grow, let them graze, and resist the urge to clean too soon. Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing at all — and Snowflake makes that beautifully easy.

Related Reads

• What Are Snowflake Pellets for Shrimp?
• Why Snowflake Pellets Are the Secret to a Healthy Shrimp Colony