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Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Animalia›Arthropoda›Malacostraca›Atyidae
📍 Japan, Taiwan & Korea
Named after legendary aquascape artist Takashi Amano who popularised their use, amano shrimp are the most effective algae-eating invertebrates available to hobbyists. Their large size and robust constitution means they can handle moderate current and tankmate activity. They do not breed in freshwater, so populations must be replenished from wild-caught stock.
Care Guide
Diet
Amano shrimp are primarily algae eaters, consuming filamentous algae, biofilm, and detritus throughout the day. Supplement their diet 2-3 times weekly with high-quality shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach), and occasional frozen foods like bloodworms. They will also scavenge uneaten fish food and decaying plant matter.
Behavior
Amano shrimp are peaceful, active foragers that spend most of their time grazing on surfaces and substrate. They are social and do best in groups of 3 or more, where they exhibit natural schooling behavior. They are relatively hardy and can tolerate moderate water flow and tank activity, making them suitable for planted and community aquariums.
Breeding
Breeding Amano shrimp in freshwater is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. Larvae require brackish water conditions to develop properly, and wild-caught populations are necessary to maintain the species in captivity. Most hobbyists simply purchase new shrimp rather than attempting to breed them.
Tank Mates
Similar peaceful temperament and algae-eating habits; compatible water parameters
Small, peaceful fish that won't prey on shrimp; thrives in similar water conditions
Peaceful mid-water dweller; generally ignores shrimp but monitor for aggression
Compatible invertebrate; similar water requirements and peaceful coexistence
Common Diseases
Bacterial Infection
Discoloration, lesions on body or appendages, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days; maintain pristine water quality; remove affected individuals if severely infected
Molting Problems
Difficulty shedding exoskeleton, incomplete molts, lethargy after molting
Ensure adequate calcium and minerals in water; maintain stable pH (6.5-7.5); provide hiding places; avoid sudden parameter changes
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, white spots or film on body, reduced feeding
Increase water changes; maintain optimal water parameters; quarantine affected shrimp; avoid copper-based treatments
Ammonia/Nitrite Poisoning
Erratic swimming, color loss, gasping at surface, sudden death
Perform immediate 50% water change; test water parameters; establish proper biological filtration; reduce bioload
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Tanks keeping this 🐟
Kept by 2 hobbyistsCommunity tanks featuring Amano Shrimp.
Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – algae (especially filamentous), biofilm, shrimp pellets
- breeding
- Requires brackish water for larvae; does not reproduce in freshwater
- lifespan
- 2–3 years
- max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 6–20 dGH
- temperature
- 64–81°F (18–27°C)