Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata
The best-known algae-eating shrimp, made famous by Takashi Amano; bigger than cherries and a good fit for planted community tanks.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 7 gallons
- Group
- 3+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables
- Origin
- Japan
- Hardier than32%
- Bigger than29%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Amano shrimp tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cardinal tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusAmano shrimp outcompetes the slow-eating Otocinclus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- BettaBetta eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp (some individuals hunt them).Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barb eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp.Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidAmano shrimp outcompetes the slow-eating Blood parrot cichlid for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp (PROP: в SF не упомянуто).Risky
- DiscusAmano shrimp outcompetes the slow-eating Discus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Amano shrimp: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Amano shrimp: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- DemasoniDemasoni eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Amano shrimp: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for Amano shrimp: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 5 cm (body)
- Adult mass
- 0.75 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.48 BU
- Min. water
- 20 L net
- Group
- 3+ (best 6)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- invertebrate, normal fins
- Diet type
- algivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper, nitrate
Sources: Gensou: How to Breed Amano Shrimp · The Tropical Tank: Amano shrimp
Care notes
Amano shrimp come from Japan and reach about 2 inches. They are busy, greedy grazers that work through hair algae and film on every surface.
Keep them in a group in a planted tank of 5 gallons or more with peaceful fish. They do not breed in fresh water, since larvae need brackish water, and like all shrimp they are sensitive to copper.
Questions
What size tank does a amano shrimp need?
At least 7 gallons (20 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2 inches without fins.
How many Amano shrimp should be kept together?
Keep at least 3, ideally 6 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do Amano shrimp need?
72–77 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and 6–8 dGH. Amano shrimp come from Japan.
How long do Amano shrimp live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with Amano shrimp?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Cherry shrimp. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.