Yes, anything that will decay will do it. The only issue I would see is that the flakes will make a mess. When I cycle my tanks, I go into my grocery store and ask them for an uncooked shrimp. They are usually so confused as to why you only need one they will just give it to you. If not, it is a couple of cents. Just easier to put a shrimp into a filter sock or some cheap panty hose and throw it into the tank. Then when it comes time to remove it, you just pull it out.