Amano Shrimp: Care Guide

 The Amano Shrimp is one of the most popular freshwater shrimp out there. It's hard to find someone with a freshwater tank who hasn't at least considered adding it to their aquarium at some point.

They are hardy, peaceful, and take the opportunity to gobble up whatever algae is in their tank.

Amano shrimp are also a lot of fun to watch. They are very active creatures that always seem to be up to something!

When you add all these benefits together (not to mention the extremely low level of care required), it's no wonder they're a fan favorite.

In this care guide, we take an in-depth look at Amano shrimp, so you can figure out if they're right for you, provide better care, or just learn for fun.

WHAT IS AMANO SHRIMP?

The Amano Shrimp is a fascinating species of freshwater shrimp that is very common in the aquarium trade. It is native to Taiwan and Japan and can grow up to 2 inches (5.08 cm) long. It goes by many names, including Japanese Shrimp, Japanese Swamp Shrimp, Japanese Algae Eaters, Japonica Shrimp, Algae Shrimp, and Yamato Shrimp.

The scientific names of this shrimp are Caridina multidentata and Caridina japonica. By far the Amano is one of the most popular shrimp species for aquarium hobbyists, second only to the Cherry Shrimp.

It was originally introduced to the aquarium world by popular aquarist, track cyclist, and photographer Takashi Amano when he discovered that they can eat large amounts of algae and maintain a clean (not cloudy) aquarium when introduced and kept in large numbers.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?

Amano shrimp can grow up to two inches long, making them one of the largest "dwarf shrimp" species on the aquarium hobbyist market. They are easily recognizable with a large body that is gray or transparent, with dark colored spots along its length.

Diet will play a role in determining the color of those spots. If they are fed a diet rich in algae and other plant matter, these spots will take on a more greenish tint.

These shrimp are very effective at being able to camouflage themselves in or around the natural environment in your aquarium. It gives them an advantage in the wild, where many animals consider them food.

When shopping for your shrimp, keep in mind that there are approximately 200 other species of Caridina, and some of these can easily be confused with Amano shrimp. To make sure you have Amano, watch his behavior in the way he cleans the tank. A genuine Amano will relentlessly forage for algae and other food in every crack and crevice, while similar shrimp will be lazy by comparison.

TEMPER

You'll be happy to know that these shrimp are usually pretty laid back. If you put food in the tank, they will run towards it and run over it. Otherwise, they are content to mind their own business while picking up dead matter from aquarium plants.

They can also be seen eating algae as soon as it starts to build up in the tank. Their talent for eating algae is one of the reasons they are so popular with aquarium owners. They love having lots of plants to explore and climb on.

Like other shrimp, they will shed their exoskeletons (this usually happens once a month), and for a short time they will be soft as the new armor hardens. During this time, they will feel vulnerable and may prefer to stay hidden.

After molting, they are likely to eat the old exoskeleton. They do this because their original armor contains minerals that help their new shell harden faster, so they may be better protected in the wild.

They will feel more secure and at peace if you give them lots of plants and other places to hide. And of course, the less stress they have, the more likely they are to survive and stay healthy.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE  AMANO SHRIMP  LIFE EXPECTATION?

The normal life expectancy of a healthy Amano shrimp in captivity is usually between two and three years. Amano Shrimp can easily die at a young age, shortly after they are added to the aquarium. You will need to keep an eye on them to make sure they are still alive and not eaten by any of their tank mates for the first few weeks.

TANK REQUIREMENTS AND  WATER CONDITIONS

To ensure they are as healthy as possible, keep the water temperature between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and keep the pH level between 7.2 and 7.5. Your shrimp will do well with standard aquarium lighting, and will have more fun if the water circulates well.

Be sure to introduce your shrimp into an established tank that already has some algae growth on its surface. This will feed them right away and help them acclimate better. Your shrimp are less likely to survive if you put them in a pristine tank with no algae.

Live plants like Green Cabomba and Java Moss will help them feel more comfortable. Hiding places like rocks, shrimp tubes, and submerged branches are good options. See if you can line the bottom of the tank with small rocks or pebbles, to mimic their natural habitats in Japan and Taiwan.

Feed them regularly and provide a low-stress environment with plenty of places to hide so they feel as safe as possible. If they live beyond those crucial first few weeks, you can expect them to live for a very long time (for a shrimp).

You'll also want to make sure there is no copper in the tank. This element can wreak havoc on any invertebrate in your tank, and Amano shrimp are no exception (no matter how hardy they are).

AMANO  DIET SHRIMP

In the wild, Amano shrimp are omnivores. They will collect dead and decaying matter from plants and animals, as well as debris that accumulates in their underwater environment. This makes them great additions to your tank, as a natural cleaning kit. If a fish dies in your tank, the shrimp will even help clean their carcass.

If you're going to keep them in captivity, remember this important tip: They don't just eat algae and dead plants. Your shrimp already love to feed on them, but don't forget to supplement them with other things. Also, keep in mind that they don't eat black beard algae, so be prepared to take that into account.

There are plenty of algae pellets and wafers that you can buy at any aquarium store. Frozen proteins like bloodworms and brine shrimp will come in handy in helping your shrimp continue to thrive, and quality food for them is easy to find.

They also like to eat vegetables, such as zucchini and spinach, cucumbers and courgettes. But first blanch the vegetables and pay attention to the amount of food you give them. Remove the vegetables from your tank after an hour to avoid contaminating the water.

Be careful not to let anything into the tank that contains copper, as it will harm your shrimp and other invertebrates. This is not always easy, because many fish foods and medications contain trace amounts of copper. That's why it's so important to read the ingredient list.

GOOD AND BAD  AMANO SHRIMP TANK MATES

These shrimp can do just fine on their own, but you may decide they're better off sharing a tank with other critters. This can be a bit tricky as many creatures like to eat Amano Shrimp. After all, they lack almost any means of defending themselves against attackers.

Note that your larger Amano will usually get the first serving of food that is thrown. They have a natural pecking order, and the largest in the tank will bully the others until it is their turn to feed.

They get along well with others of the same species, but larger shellfish may consider them a light snack. Keep them away from crayfish or freshwater lobsters. On the other hand, other shrimp such as cherry shrimp and bamboo shrimp will not pose a threat to them.

Large or aggressive fish are not good roommates for them. Goldfish and cichlids are not an option, and neither are bettas, arowanas, or Oscars. However, they do get along well with Octocinclus Catfish, Cory Catfish, and Neon Tetras, as well as other non-aggressive fish.

Many freshwater snails make excellent companions (and tank cleaners, too). Golden Inca Snails, Malaysian Trumpet Snails, Assassin Snails, Ramshorn Snails, Mystery Snails, Ivory Snails, and Japanese Trapdoor Snails are just a few of the species that get along with Amano Shrimp.

Try to keep your shrimp in groups of half a dozen or more. This will limit their dominance behavior and help them continue to get along with any other species you introduce.

Since Amano Shrimp are so peaceful in nature, they will not pose any threat to the other creatures in your tank. They will busily search every hiding place for algae and other matter to feed on, minding their own business and not getting in the way of other animals or pushing them around.

Caring for Amano Shrimp is easy, and keeping them can serve a practical purpose in keeping your tank clean of unsightly algae buildup (just like Siamese algae eaters), and they are guaranteed to add variety and entertainment to a large aquarium. sweet water.

HOW MANY SHRIMPS PER GALLON?

The minimum tank size for shrimp should be ten gallons. After that, you'll want to add two gallons for each additional shrimp in the tank.

However, this is not a firm rule since its biomass is very low. This means they have a very low impact on the tank ecosystem. It is almost impossible for you to stay in the aquarium too much.

WAYS TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN  AMANO SHRIMP

While it can be difficult to distinguish males from females in other aquarium shrimp species (such as Cherry Shrimp), the two sexes of the Amano Shrimp are easily distinguished.

Males are much smaller than females and the spots along the sides of their exoskeleton tend to be small and evenly spaced. Females, on the other hand, are larger and many of their markings are spread out in a series of stripes along the sides of their bodies.

Note that a woman will also have something called a saddle under her stomach. Think of this as a bag or compartment where she can safely store thousands of her eggs.

AMANO SHRIMP  BREEDING TIPS

In fact, most of the Amano shrimp on the market are wild-caught, rather than sourced from breeding tanks. This is because it is extremely difficult for all but the most experienced aquarium hobbyist to attempt to breed them. If you are raising shrimp for the first time, I highly recommend ghost shrimp or cherry shrimp, as caring for the adults and larvae of both species will be much easier.

In the wild, female Amano shrimp will lay between 1,000 and 3,000 green eggs, which will be attached to the underside of her body for up to five weeks. When hatched and released from their mother, the larvae need brackish water to grow to full maturity, then migrate back from the ocean to fresh water as soon as they reach adulthood.

Unfortunately, adults can easily die if exposed to water containing salt. If you decide to try to breed Amano shrimp despite the difficulty, be sure to remove the adults quickly from the breeding tanks and then carefully increase the salinity of the water. Breeders have managed to breed them when the salinity of the water is at its maximum power, at 1,024.

ARE YOU SOLD YET?

Now that you know the essential information about Amino shrimp and how to care for them, it's time to decide if they're right for you.

If you already have some and just wanted to learn more, we hope you found what you were looking for!

If you are still undecided, let us help you influence.

Adding Amino Shrimp to your tank is a fairly risk-free thing to do. As long as the conditions in your aquarium and your tank mates are compatible, your new shrimp will be very happy!

It is an animal that just wants to mind its own business and eat some algae.

What's not to like? If you have any other questions about Amino Shrimp, he can always contact us and ask us directly. There are also  some great forum threads  where you can talk to other tank owners and get additional information.