As for the clear like substance, this sounds like it may one of two things -
One - could be a biofilm which covers basically all surfaces of gravel, glass and filter etc, commonly found during newly set up tanks and the tank and filter not being quite cycled yet.
Two - this I suspect is what is being spoken about, the shedded moulted skin of shrimps. This is usually a sort of opaque / clearlike skeleton like skin. The details of these when look upon closely is really remarkable and does look exactly like a dead shrimp.
Perfectly natural and normal for shrimps. You can leave the moulted skin in the tank for say 24 hours as this hold some extra protein and nutrients which are beneficial for shrimps. If the skins are still there after 24 hours, simply remove the moulted skin and discard.
There has been times when I have glanced into my tank and seen these on the substrate surface and suddenly think I've got dead shrimps when its really just a moulted skin
Youll get used to that as its all part and parcel of shrimp keeping
fish foods and shrimp foods are virtually identical apart from price. Just stay with the fish food.
Not always necessarily true to be entirely honest, there are foods such as mulberry leaves, catappas, amaranth leaves as well as dedicated shrimp food specially adapted with extra vitamins, calcium and so on and so forth.
These are much more beneficial for shrimps rather than simple fish flakes or standard pellet foods. Those could contain extra nutrients and protein as well as calcium and vitamins in some cases, all of which helps shrimps to have a varied diet which helps them to keep their vibrant colours as well aiding health to breed and moult etc.
