Amano Shrimp are tiny scavengers that love to eat algae. These freshwater aquarium shrimp love to feed on algae so much that they got the nickname “Algae Eating Shrimp.”
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Name: | Amano Shrimp |
| Other Names: | Japonica Shrimp, Algae Eating Shrimp, Yamato Shrimp |
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Color Form: | Transparent/Greyish Body |
| Lifespan: | 2-3 Years |
| Size: | Up to 2 inches |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Family: | Atyidae |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 10 Gallon |
| Tank Set-Up: | Freshwater, Heavily Planted |
| Compatibility: | Peaceful community fish, other Shrimps, and Snails |
Table of Contents:
- What does an Amano shrimp look like?
- Are Amano shrimp aggressive?
- How big do Amano shrimp get?
- How long do Amano shrimp live for?
- What is the best tank size for Amano shrimp?
- How many Amano shrimp per gallon?
- What are the best water parameters for Amano shrimp?
- What are the best foods for Amano shrimp?
- What are some good Amano shrimp tank mates?
- Amano shrimp: male vs female difference
- How to breed Amano shrimp?
- References & Further Readings about Amano shrimps?
Amano Shrimp Appearance
Amano Shrimp have big eyes, long antennae, long deft legs, and a broad transparent tail. They spend most of their time swimming around the aquarium in search of food. Here’s everything you need to know about Amano Shrimp.
Amano Shrimp Pictures
Amano Shrimp Behavior
Amano Shrimp are peaceful; that is until it’s time to eat. Larger Amano Shrimp eat first and will prevent smaller shrimp from eating. Outside of aggression during feeding, they spend most of their time scavenging for food in the substrate.
Amano Shrimp Size
An adult Amano Shrimp size is about two inches in length. But, when you buy Amano Shrimp, the size is usually one inch or less in length.
There’s no need to worry about the small size in the pet store. So long as you feed these shrimp, they grow fast. Be sure to place them in a nitrogen-cycled aquarium.
Amano Shrimp Color
The Amano Shrimp’s color is usually a semitransparent shade of light grey. But, they can also have shades of greed, reddish-brown, or light brown. On their body, Amano Shrimp have colored dots. The dots range from grayish-blue to reddish-brown. There’s also a lighter streak of color on the top that runs the length of their body.
Amano Shrimp Lifespan
When water conditions are ideal, there’s lots of food, and non-aggressive tankmates, Amano Shrimp have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years in captivity. Sometimes, shrimp die after you place them in a new tank. It could be due to stress during transport. Or, it could be that the shrimp are unable to acclimate to the new water parameters. So, expect that you may lose a few shrimp.
Amano Shrimp Tank Size
Amano Shrimp can survive in tanks as small as 10-gallons. A 10-gallon aquarium can house five Amano Shrimp. Never overstock an aquarium as it can affect the water quality and stress shrimp and fish. A planted aquarium is best for these shrimp.
How Many Amano Shrimp per Gallon? You can add 1 Amano Shrimp per 2 Gallons. But, it all depends on the number, and species, of fish you have in the tank.
Amano Shrimp Water Parameters
Amano Shrimp care requires little effort. They prefer tropical water temperatures and lots of live plants. Java Moss or Marimo Moss Balls are excellent choices for Amano aquariums. They adapt to different water conditions, but they thrive in hard water that has proper circulation.
- Water Temperature: 72 – 78 Degrees Fahrenheit
- Aquarium pH: Between 7.2 – 7.5
- Aquarium Lighting: Standard Fish Tank Lights
Keep an eye on ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Never use copper in the tank as it will kill your shrimp and other freshwater invertebrates.
Amano Shrimp Diet
These algae-eating critters will eat up soft algae. They also nibble on decaying plant matter. But, you need to feed Amano Shrimp with shrimp pellets, fish food flakes, and pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables. This way, they get all the nutrients they need.
They can also feed on other dead shrimp and fish. But, it’s best to remove dead animals from the fish tank to keep the water healthy.
Try not to keep your tank squeaky clean. Shrimp like to have something to scavenge. So, falling leaves and a bit of leftover fish food is okay. Always check water conditions for spikes in ammonia and other harmful chemicals.
Amano Shrimp Tank Mates
Amano shrimp can live in a tank with other peaceful animals like danios, zebra loaches, Otocinclus, and other algae eaters. Other shrimps are also good tank mates—for example, cherry shrimps, bamboo shrimp, and vampire shrimps. You can also add aquarium clams like the Asian Gold Clam.
Shrimp
Amano Shrimp can also do well with snails such as:
Snails
- Nerite Snails
- Mystery Snails
- Gold Inca Snails
- Ivory Snails
- Trumpet Snails
- Japanese Trapdoor Snails
- Rabbit Snails
- Red Ramshorn Snails
Catfish
Things To Consider
Amano Shrimp Algae Eating
While Amano Shrimp will eat certain kinds of algae, they are not going to fix algae problems. Some algae are ok, but an overgrowth is terrible. You need to find out what’s causing the algae problem and fix it. Don’t depend on shrimp or any other algae-eating animal to fix the issue. They can only help keep normal levels of growth in balance.
For instance, green spot algae is a common problem in fish tanks. But, Amano Shrimp do not eat this type of algae, so you’re left with shrimp to feed and a persistent algae problem. Always do your research before buying algae-eaters to fix your algae problem.
Amano Shrimp Molting
Amano Shrimp shed their shells as they mature. Molting can occur one per month, and the shrimp will hide while the new shell hardens. Empty shells in the tank are standard when keeping Amano Shrimp.
Other shrimp may feed on the shell so you can leave it in the tank for a day or so but remove if after 36 hours to be on the safe side. Finding empty shells in the aquarium does not mean that a shrimp has died. It can be hard to tell which shrimp molted, for example, if you have many.
How To Tell Difference Between Male and Female Amano Shrimp
Here’s how to tell the difference between male and female Amano Shrimp:
- Females tend to be bigger than males.
- Look at the dots on their exoskeleton. The female’s dots look more like long dashes while the male’s dots are evenly spaced out dots.
- Females also have a saddle (i.e., egg nest) underneath the stomach where she keeps her eggs.
Breeding Amano Shrimp In An Aquarium
Amano Shrimp do not usually breed in captivity. It’s difficult because baby shrimp need brackish water to grow while adult shrimp need freshwater to survive.
In the wild, females carry their eggs for about six weeks. After, the female deposits her larvae into salty water. The larvae need saltwater to survive, and once matured, they move to freshwater.
This process is near impossible to replicate in captivity. Adult Amano Shrimp cannot live in brackish water and die if exposed to the slightest bit of salt.
References
- Amano Shrimp | Beginner Guide – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh3YeWvVY6Q
- Klann, M., Scholtz, G. Early embryonic development of the freshwater shrimp Caridina multidentata (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae). Zoomorphology 133, 295-306 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-014-0224-9
- Factors affecting distribution of freshwater shrimps and prawns in the Hiwasa River, southern central Japan – https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/crustacea/41/0/41_KJ00008514384/_article/-char/ja/
- Clean Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) – https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/erss/uncertainrisk/Caridina-multidentata-ERSS-FINAL.pdf
- Behavioral Response of Amano Shrimp with a Predatory Stimulus –https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/24/
- ON THE SPECIES OF JAPANESE ATYID SHRIMPS (DECAPODA: CARIDEA) DESCRIBED BY WILLIAM STIMPSON (1860) – http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.376.4945&rep=rep1&type=pdf
- Amano Shrimp In Freshwater Aquarium – Video (YouTube)
- ON THE SPECIES OF JAPANESE ATYID SHRIMPS (DECAPODA: CARIDEA) DESCRIBED BY WILLIAM STIMPSON (1860) Yixiong Cai, Peter KL Ng, S
- Species and Feeding Habits How do shrimp reproduce?
- Early embryonic development of the freshwater shrimp Caridina multidentata (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae)
