Amano Shrimp for Sale

Amano Shrimp Care Guide

Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata), also known as Japanese Swamp Shrimp, Yamato Shrimp, or Algae Shrimp, are among the easiest and most rewarding freshwater shrimp to keep. Famous for their incredible algae-eating abilities, they thrive in established planted aquariums and peaceful community tanks. With stable water parameters and a balanced diet, Amano shrimp can live 2–3 years or longer, making them an excellent long-term addition to your aquarium.

Ideal Water Parameters for Amano Shrimp

Amano shrimp are hardy and adaptable, but they perform best in stable, well-maintained aquariums. Sudden swings in temperature, pH, or hardness are more stressful than keeping them within a specific number.

Water Parameters at The Shrimp Farm

To make acclimation easier, our Amano shrimp are maintained under the following conditions before shipping:

Aquarium Setup

Amano shrimp thrive in cycled freshwater aquariums with plenty of natural surfaces to graze. Live plants, driftwood, rocks, mosses, and leaf litter encourage the growth of biofilm, which is one of their favorite food sources.

For the best results, provide:

• A mature, fully cycled aquarium
• Live plants and aquarium moss
• Driftwood and rocks for grazing
• Gentle filtration with good oxygenation
• Plenty of hiding places during molts
• Stable water parameters

A 10-gallon or larger aquarium is recommended, especially if keeping a group.

Feeding Amano Shrimp

Although Amano shrimp are famous for eating algae, they still require a balanced diet to stay healthy. In clean aquariums, algae alone is not enough to meet their nutritional needs.

Offer a varied diet including:

• High-quality shrimp pellets
• Algae wafers
• Biofilm
• Blanched spinach, zucchini, or cucumber
• Occasional protein-rich foods in moderation

Tank Mates

Amano shrimp are peaceful and make excellent additions to community aquariums.

They are compatible with:

• Cherry Shrimp and other peaceful freshwater shrimp
• Nerite Snails and Mystery Snails
• Corydoras Catfish
• Otocinclus
• Rasboras
• Small Tetras
• Peaceful livebearers

Avoid housing them with large or aggressive fish that may view shrimp as food.

Breeding Amano Shrimp

Adult Amano shrimp reproduce in freshwater, and females frequently carry hundreds of eggs after mating. However, unlike Cherry Shrimp, the newly hatched larvae cannot survive in freshwater. They must be raised in brackish water before eventually returning to freshwater as juvenile shrimp.

Because of this unique life cycle, Amano shrimp are considered difficult to breed and are not recommended for beginners interested in breeding shrimp.

Why Amano Shrimp Are So Popular

Amano shrimp have earned a reputation as one of the best algae-eating freshwater shrimp in the aquarium hobby. Their larger size, peaceful temperament, and constant grazing make them an excellent natural cleanup crew for planted aquariums.

Whether you're looking to reduce algae, improve your aquarium's ecosystem, or add hardy invertebrates to a community tank, Amano shrimp are one of the best freshwater shrimp you can keep. With proper care and stable water conditions, they will reward you with years of active behavior and outstanding algae control.

Real Owner Experience with Amano Shrimp

At The Shrimp Farm, Amano shrimp have been one of our favorite cleanup crew species for years. We've kept them in planted aquariums ranging from nano tanks to large display aquascapes, and they consistently prove why they're considered one of the best algae-eating shrimp in the hobby.

One of the biggest advantages we've noticed is how active they are throughout the day. Unlike some shrimp that spend most of their time hiding, Amano shrimp are constantly grazing on rocks, driftwood, plants, and glass in search of algae and biofilm. It's common to see them cleaning areas that other shrimp completely ignore.

We've also found that Amano shrimp are much hardier than many people expect. Once properly acclimated to a mature, stable aquarium, they adapt well to a variety of freshwater conditions and are excellent additions to peaceful community tanks.

One thing new hobbyists should understand is that Amano shrimp are not miracle workers. They do an incredible job helping control algae, but they perform best alongside good aquarium maintenance, balanced lighting, healthy plant growth, and regular water changes. When those conditions are in place, they're among the most effective natural cleanup crews you can add to a planted aquarium.

If we were setting up a new planted tank today, Amano shrimp would be one of the first livestock we'd add after the aquarium has fully cycled. Their algae-eating ability, peaceful temperament, and long lifespan make them one of the easiest recommendations we can make for both beginner and experienced aquarium hobbyists.

How Big Do Amano Shrimp Get?

Adult Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) typically grow 2–3 inches, making them one of the largest freshwater dwarf shrimp commonly kept in aquariums. Females are usually larger than males, with many females reaching close to 2.5–3 inches, while males generally remain slightly smaller. Their larger size makes Amano shrimp excellent algae eaters and helps them coexist with many peaceful community fish that might prey on smaller shrimp species.

How Many Amano Shrimp Should I Keep Together?

Amano shrimp are social and generally do best when kept in groups of at least 3–6 individuals. For stocking, a good rule of thumb is one Amano shrimp for every 2–5 gallons, depending on your aquarium size, filtration, and maintenance routine.

A larger aquarium with stable water parameters and plenty of hiding places can comfortably support more shrimp. Because Amano shrimp produce very little waste compared to fish, they're an excellent addition to planted aquariums when combined with regular water changes and proper filtration.

How Long Do Amano Shrimp Live?

With proper care, Amano shrimp typically live 2–3 years, and some may live even longer in stable, well-maintained aquariums. Their lifespan depends on water quality, diet, and minimizing stress from sudden changes in water parameters.

Providing a varied diet, maintaining stable temperature and pH, and performing regular aquarium maintenance will help maximize their lifespan.

How Fast Do Amano Shrimp Grow?

Amano shrimp grow relatively quickly compared to many freshwater shrimp. Under ideal conditions with high-quality food and stable water parameters, juveniles usually reach adult size within 4–6 months.

Growth rates can vary depending on temperature, diet, water quality, and the frequency of successful molts. Feeding a balanced shrimp diet and maintaining proper mineral levels helps support healthy growth and molting.

Can Amano Shrimp Breed in Freshwater?

Adult Amano shrimp will readily mate in freshwater aquariums, and females often carry hundreds of eggs beneath their abdomen. However, the larvae cannot survive in freshwater alone.

Unlike Cherry shrimp, Amano shrimp require brackish water after hatching for their larvae to develop successfully. Once they complete their larval stage, the juvenile shrimp can gradually be acclimated back to freshwater.

Because recreating this life cycle requires specialized equipment and careful management of salinity and larval feeding, Amano shrimp are considered difficult to breed in captivity. If you're looking for shrimp that reproduce easily in freshwater, Cherry shrimp are a much better choice.

Can Amano Shrimp Live with Cherry Shrimp?

Yes. Amano shrimp and Cherry shrimp are excellent tank mates and can live together peacefully in the same freshwater aquarium. Amano shrimp are larger and more active, while Cherry shrimp are smaller and often breed readily in freshwater. Because Amano shrimp cannot interbreed with Cherry shrimp, keeping both species together is a great way to enjoy colorful shrimp alongside one of the best natural algae eaters.

Are Amano Shrimp Safe with Betta Fish?

Yes, Amano shrimp can live with peaceful Betta fish, but compatibility depends on the Betta's temperament. Some Bettas ignore shrimp completely, while others may chase or attack them.

Because Amano shrimp grow 2–3 inches, they are larger and faster than Cherry shrimp, giving them a better chance of coexisting with a Betta. For the best results, keep them in a heavily planted aquarium with plenty of hiding places and monitor their behavior during the first few days.

While many hobbyists successfully keep Amano shrimp and Bettas together, no shrimp is completely safe with an aggressive Betta.

What Do Amano Shrimp Eat?

Amano shrimp are omnivores and will happily eat algae, biofilm, detritus, leftover fish food, algae wafers, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables, and other high-quality shrimp foods. While they are famous for controlling algae, they should still receive supplemental feeding to maintain their health and support successful molting.

Do Amano Shrimp Eat Hair Algae?

Yes. Amano shrimp are widely regarded as one of the best freshwater shrimp for controlling hair algae. They actively graze on soft hair algae, green thread algae, biofilm, and other organic matter throughout the day. Although they can significantly reduce algae growth, they work best alongside proper aquarium maintenance, balanced lighting, and healthy plant growth.

Do Amano Shrimp Need a Heater?

Amano shrimp thrive in water temperatures between 70–80°F. If your aquarium stays within this range year-round, a heater may not be necessary. However, most indoor aquariums benefit from a quality aquarium heater to maintain stable temperatures, as sudden fluctuations can stress shrimp and affect their health.

Will different shrimp species breed with each other?

Yes, most Neocaridina species will breed with other Neocaridina species, and many Caridina species will breed with other Caridina species. Neocaridina species will not breed with Caridina species. It is not recommended to keep any species that may interbreed with each other. Check out our dwarf shrimp compatibility chart to see what shrimp will not interbreed with Amano Shrimp.

How often do Amano Shrimp molt?

Depends on their age! Amano shrimp grow very quickly. This also means they molt a lot (at least every few days at first) until they reach their adult size, after which they slow down to about once a month.

What is the diet of Amano Shrimp?

Amano Shrimp are omnivores and share the same diet that most Dwarf Shrimp enjoy. They will eat just about anything in an aquarium, that is edible. Amano Shrimp will eat the algae that naturally occurs in aquariums. Sinking pellets and blanched (boiled until soft) vegetables make good foods for dwarf shrimp, as well. But Amano will oftentimes need supplemental feedings. Aquarium foods intended for bottom feeders and aquatic invertebrates are readily accepted, as are blanched vegetables (boiled until soft). You can find wide veracity of good shrimp foods in our shop. The Amano Shrimp you order are currently eating Ebita Breed - Quatro 2.

What type of filter should I use?

A sponge filter is the best filter for a shrimp-only aquarium. Another good option is a corner box filter. Most power filters will suck smaller shrimp into the filter and kill them, so they are not recommended. In our shop, you can find a nice selection of filters that are safe for shrimps.

What are the best plants for Amano Shrimp?

Any aquarium plants are great if you'd like to keep Amano shrimp! They love to hide in and forage on the leaves. A few personal favorites are java moss, floating plants, and hair grass (Eleocharis acicularis). All the plants we sell are great for Amano Shrimp. You can find out more about Freshwater aquarium plants here.

What are the best tank mates for Amano Shrimp?

Amano shrimp, like other dwarf shrimp, are very peaceful and vulnerable creatures. They will never harm any tankmates but will easily fall prey to hungry fish. It might be a good idea to set up a single-species aquarium. Still, peaceful inverts like other shrimp and small snails are always a possibility. You can check out the dwarf shrimp compatibility chart to see what shrimp will be a great match for the Amano Shrimp.

Aquarists who don't mind losing some of their stock can combine them with a number of peaceful species, including the popular Corydoras and Otocinclus catfish, small schooling fish, and more. Learn more about The Best Types Of Fish For Your Shrimp Aquarium here. The shrimp should usually breed quickly enough to sustain the population despite regular casualties, provided there are enough hiding places. Not enough hiding places for your shrimp? We have some great hiding decorations in our shop.

What is the best way to Acclimate my new Amano Shrimp?

When adding new shrimp into your established already existing tank, it is important to take the proper steps in introducing and acclimating them into their new home. The whole process is extremely stressful for the shrimp. Acclimation is important for shrimp as it allows them time to adjust to the temperature and parameters of their new environment. By doing this correctly, you will reduce the chances of shock or death of your new shrimps. You can find the step-by-step process of acclimating shrimp here.

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