Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Min Tank Size
20L
Adult Size
5 cm
Lifespan
3 years
School Size
5+
About
Named after the legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano, these shrimp have become a staple in planted tanks worldwide for good reason. Originally from the coastal rivers and streams of Japan and Taiwan, they're built for life in clear, well-oxygenated water with decent flow. Appearance-wise, they're mostly transparent with a line of dashes or spots running along each side, and females tend to be noticeably larger than males and often carry a greenish tint.
Size is one of their biggest advantages over other algae-eating shrimp. At around 4 cm as adults, they're robust enough to hold their own in community tanks where smaller Neocaridina would quickly become snacks. They're relentless grazers, working over leaves, substrate, and hardscape for biofilm, soft algae, and decaying matter pretty much all day. Hair algae is where they genuinely shine, though they won't fully eliminate an algae problem caused by poor lighting or nutrient imbalance.
Water quality matters a lot. They're not as sensitive as some of the more demanding Caridina species, but they don't tolerate ammonia spikes, and sudden parameter swings during acclimation can wipe out a whole group. Drip acclimation is strongly recommended.
Keep them in groups of at least six, ideally more. A lone Amano shrimp is a skittish, stressed Amano shrimp. They do best in mature, planted tanks where there's always something to graze on between feedings.
If you want to see how other hobbyists are housing them, browsing tank builds that specifically feature Amano shrimp in planted community setups is genuinely useful for picking up practical ideas.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Amano Shrimp together
Amano Shrimp are shoaling fish and need company of their own kind. Keep a group of at least 5. Smaller groups leave them stressed, washed-out in color, and prone to hiding.
Compatibility
The main concern with Amano shrimp isn't what they'll do to their tankmates, it's what their tankmates will do to them. Any fish large enough to fit one in its mouth will eventually try. Bettas are a common failure, and anything in the cichlid category is usually a disaster. They work well with small tetras like ember or chili rasboras, nano fish like celestial pearl danios, and otocinclus. Corydoras generally ignore them. Avoid gouramis larger than dwarf size, as many will pick off shrimp opportunistically. In a well-planted tank with adequate cover, the odds improve significantly.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is poor acclimation. These shrimp can drop dead within hours of being added to an otherwise perfect tank if the transition was too fast. Drip acclimate for at least an hour, ideally longer. The second common mistake is expecting them to fix an algae problem without addressing its root cause. They're grazers, not a solution. They also need supplemental feeding, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, or dedicated shrimp foods, especially in cleaner tanks without a lot of natural biofilm. Keep the group large enough that they feel secure and stay active.
Behavior & Aggression
Amano shrimp are about as non-aggressive as a freshwater animal gets. They don't bother fish, don't bother each other, and don't bother snails. Occasionally two will compete briefly over a particularly good piece of food, but it amounts to nothing. The only scenario where they could be considered a nuisance is if they're severely underfed and start grazing on tender mosses or young plant shoots, but that's a husbandry issue rather than aggression. Keep them fed and they'll leave your plants alone.
Things to Know
- Cannot breed in freshwater, larvae require brackish water to survive
- Vulnerable to all fish large enough to fit them in their mouth
- Sensitive to ammonia and nitrites, acclimate very slowly
- May pick at delicate mosses when underfed, supplement their diet
- Excellent escape artists, a tight lid is essential.
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