Best Calcium Supplements For Shrimp (Molting And Growth)

Ensuring your shrimp get enough calcium isn’t just a nice-to-have it’s essential. Without enough calcium, shrimp can struggle to molt, develop weak shells, and face serious health issues.

Whether you’re raising Cherry Shrimp or more sensitive Caridina species, supporting their molting process starts with the right calcium sources.

Here’s a helpful guide on the best calcium supplements and natural options to help your shrimp molt safely and grow strong.

Table of Contents

Mineral-Based Calcium Supplements For shrimp

These are passive supplements you add directly to the tank. They slowly release minerals over time and help stabilize your water.

1. SunGrow Shrimp Mineral Rocks

These natural rocks gradually release calcium and magnesium into the water. They’re especially useful in soft water tanks and help with molting, shell development, and even maintaining pH stability.

2. Wonder Shells

Wonder Shells dissolve slowly over 2–4 weeks and release essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. They’re great for shrimp and snails alike. If you’re using them in a small tank (5 to 10 gallons), start with a smaller piece to avoid raising hardness too much.

3. Tourmaline Mineral Balls

These little mineral balls aren’t just decorative. They release over 30 trace elements into your tank including calcium to support molting, improve coloration, and boost shrimp health in general.

Calcium-Enriched Foods

Feeding shrimp mineral-rich foods is a great way to provide calcium internally. These specially formulated options are easy to use and shrimp usually love them.

4. Shrimp King Mineral

This food is made with montmorillonite clay, pure calcium carbonate, and red algae — all natural sources of calcium and trace minerals. It’s specifically designed to support healthy molts and strong shell development.

5. Mineral Junkie Pearls

These are little calcium-rich pearls made with natural minerals, veggies, and herbs. They’re a great daily supplement to prevent deficiencies that could lead to molting problems.

6. Hikari Crab Cuisine

Even though it’s labeled for crabs, this pellet food is packed with calcium and works great for shrimp too. It’s especially useful if you’re looking to boost shell development.

Natural Calcium Sources

Want to go the natural route or add some variety? Here are a few calcium-rich foods you might already have at home.

7. Blanched Vegetables

Some common veggies are great sources of calcium. Here are a few good ones to try:

Kale – 137 mg per 100g
Spinach – 99 mg per 100g
Chinese cabbage – 74 mg per 100g
Broccoli – 40 mg per 100g

Blanch the vegetables for 1–2 minutes to soften them before adding to the tank. This makes them easier for shrimp to eat and digest.

8. Cuttlebone

You’ll find this in the bird section of pet stores. Cuttlebone is made of calcium carbonate and slowly releases calcium into the water. Add small pieces to your tank, but monitor GH and KH it can raise water hardness if used too much.

Important Considerations

Supplements for Shrimp — Photo by: shrimpify.eu

Before you start tossing in supplements, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Monitor Your Water Parameters

Check GH (General Hardness) and KH (Carbonate Hardness) regularly. These tell you how much calcium and other minerals are in your water — and whether you need to supplement at all.

Don’t Overdo It

Too much calcium can throw off your water chemistry and stress your shrimp. If you’re using multiple sources (like mineral rocks and food), go light and test often.

Know Your Shrimp’s Needs

Different shrimp species have different ideal GH/KH ranges. Neocaridina are pretty flexible, but Caridina (like Crystal Red Shrimp) need softer water — and you’ll need to adjust your calcium strategy to match.

Final Thoughts

Helping your shrimp grow strong and molt safely starts with one key thing: calcium. Whether you use mineral rocks, enriched foods, natural veggies, or a combination of all three, what matters most is balance.

Test your water, start small, and observe how your shrimp respond. A strong shell and successful molt mean you’re on the right track.

Want help choosing the right GH/KH levels for your shrimp species? Check out our full guide: Ideal GH & KH for Shrimp Tanks: Full Water Guide