Amano Shrimp Caresheet - Algae Eating Shrimp

Amano Shrimp

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Overview/Background:

The Amano Shrimp often considered the second most popular freshwater shrimp next to the Cherry Shrimp. The name Amano Shrimp originates from the world famous aquarist Takashi Amano who frequently uses the shrimp in his aquariums as algae eaters. This shrimp has become well known, because it is considered to be great algae eaters, in later years we have found that shrimp such as Cherry Shrimp are actually more proficient at algae eating. A not so well known fact is that Amano Shrimp are very difficult to breed, and almost all of them bought on the market today are wild caught.

A full grown Amano Shrimp will be 2"+, however when purchasing it in pet stores or online it is common to get a shrimp around the 1" range. Purchasing a smaller shrimp does not mean it is undesirable or unhealthy, as they will grow quickly in a established healthy aquatic environment.

Color & Appearance:

An Amano Shrimp will generally be a light grey/brown translucent color. It is also common to see Amano Shrimp with a light green or redish-brown color. They will have a series of dots and dashes along their bodies, which can be a grey-blue or red-brown color. Generally they will also have a light stripe along the their top side that will run from their Carapace down through the topside of the abdomen (Dwarf Shrimp Anatomy). They also have two large eyes and lengthy antennae, their Uropod or "tail" is wide and always translucent.

Upclose:

Photos coming soon....

Care:

The Amano Shrimp is low demanding when it comes to care. They are a hardy shrimp that does well both in groups and on their own. They will spend the days both in hiding and out in the open exploring for food. A planted tank will benefit Amano shrimp and all shrimp in general, as plants provide a location for microorganisms to grow thus providing natural food for your shrimp.

Amano shrimp do best with a slow-medium current, well oxygenated water and as always be careful with Ammonia spikes, high Nitrate levels, and always avoid copper.

Scientific Name: Caridina multidentate
Other Scientific Names: Caridina japonica
Common Name: Amano Shrimp
Other Common Name: Japanese Swamp Shrimp, Yamato Shrimp, Algae Shrimp
Temperment: Peaceful/Semi Aggressive
Breeding: Hard - Brackish water is needed for zoes to survive initial stages of life.
Care Level: Easy
Origin: South Eastern Asia
Found in Wild: Yes

General Water Parameters

The Shrimp Farm’s Water Parameters:

Range: 6.5 – 8.0  PH Range: 7.0-7.4
Temperature Range: 70 – 80 F  Temperature Range: 69-73 F
 GH Range: 5-15  GH Range: 7-8
 KH Range: 1-10  KH Range:
 TDS Range: 80-450  TDS Range: 175-200
 Life Span: 2-3 years  Full Grown Size: 2”-3”
 Gestation Period: 30 days  Approximate Purchase Size: .75” – 1.25”

Lifespan:

On average Amano shrimp will live between 2-3 years. As with most shrimp they will sometimes die after being moved to a new tank, this is due to the stress caused by changing water parameters. To avoid stress it is always best to practice proper Acclimation (Acclimating New Shrimp to Your Tank 101). If proper acclimation is used, a healthy environment provided which is free of predators and has plenty of food, this shrimp will thrive.

Dead Amano Shrimp:

A dead Amano shrimp will turn a bright orange-red color, and if left in the tank long enough will turn a white color. Other shrimp and snails may be seen feeding on the dead shrimp's shell, which is completely normal. Shrimp are opportunistic feeders and feed on the shell to ingest its rich mineral makeup. You can remove the dead shrimp right away or wait until your shrimp show no interest in the dead carcass. In best practice do not leave a dead shrimp in the tank for very long or it may cause an ammonia spike.

Diet:

The Amano Shrimp is generally easy to feed. It is often referred to not as "Amano Shrimp" but more commonly as "Algae Eating Shrimp". Caridina Multidentata have a reputation for being amazing aquarium cleaners. They enjoy feeding on most forms of soft algae. Live Aquarium plants will provide microorganisms and always shed/give off edible plant matter that would otherwise accumulate in or on top of your substrate if not for the Amano Shrimp. Amano shrimp are very opportunistic feeders while supplemental feeding with shrimp specific foods is recommended, it is not always required.

Feeding Behavior:

The Amano Shrimp has a very different approach to eating food when compared to almost all other kinds of shrimp. It almost seems as if the very second a food pellet is dropped into the aquarium they sense it stop what they are doing to quickly gather the food once it is within reach take it or steal it away from anything else in the tank.

Tank Mates:

If unsure use the old motto: "If it can fit it in its mouth then it could be dangerous" Any fish can also nip at a shrimp until it dies, which is a huge red flag if you see it happening in your tank.

Sexing:

An Amano shrimp sex can be determined by the dots on their exoskeleton. Along their lower side the males will have a row of discrete round dots. Females will have stretched out dots that appear as broken dotted lines. These dots are reddish/brown or a Blue/Green color.  The females are also larger in size than the males. The female shrimp also possess visible saddles which are her embryonic eggs (This is often the easiest way to determine sex).

Breeding:

"Everyone wants to breed Amano Shrimp, but few people have the skill to do so"

-unknown aquarist

The Amano shrimp is very difficult to breed since raising the fry require brackish water conditions (i.e. saltwater) The fry will also require slow changing to freshwater from brackish water condition as they mature to adulthood. This is why most Amano Shrimp purchased in pet stores or online are wild caught.

After mating, the female shrimp will carry the developing eggs under her pleopods for about 4-6 weeks until they hatch. Transfering the female to a breeding container/tank with very similar water conditions or when the eggs hatch you can use light to bring newly hatched babies  to the water surface and then you can siphon them out. After the shrimp larvae separation, you will have 4-7 days to transfer them to saltwater. However you can introduce them immediately into brackish water, which is the preferred method.

Amano Shrimp For Sale:

Currently Amano Shrimp are widely available in most chain pets stores, mom and pop stores, and online.

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