Amano Shrimp

Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata, also known as Yamato Shrimp) are one of the most popular and effective freshwater aquarium shrimp in the hobby. Famous as champion algae eaters, these larger, hardy shrimp are prized for their incredible cleaning power — especially against stubborn hair algae, film algae, and leftover food — while remaining peaceful and active in planted tanks.

Key Features & Appearance

• Coloration: Mostly translucent with a subtle greenish, brownish, or grayish tint. They feature distinctive rows of small dark brown, reddish, or black dots and dashes along the sides, plus a thin lighter stripe running down the back.
• Size: Larger than most dwarf shrimp; adults grow to 1.5–2 inches (up to 2.5 inches for females), making them one of the biggest commonly kept ornamental freshwater shrimp.
• Behavior: Highly active scavengers that spend their days foraging across plants, substrate, glass, and decorations. They are peaceful, outgoing, and rarely bother other tank inhabitants.
• Lifespan: One of the longest-lived dwarf shrimp species — typically 2–5 years with good care (some live even longer).

Amano Shrimp are hardy and forgiving, making them excellent for beginners while still being valuable in advanced planted setups.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons minimum; 10+ gallons ideal for a small group.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 18–26°C (64–79°F); optimal 22–25°C.
  • pH: 6.5–8.0 (adaptable to most tap water after dechlorination).
  • GH: 6–15+; KH: 2–10 (they tolerate a wide range better than sensitive Caridina).
• Setup Tips: Heavily planted tanks with moss, driftwood, rocks, and botanicals provide grazing surfaces and hiding spots. Moderate flow helps, but they do fine in low-tech setups. Use sponge filters or gentle filtration to protect them.
• Diet: Primarily algae and biofilm eaters. Supplement with blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber), algae wafers, or shrimp pellets if algae is limited. They are excellent at cleaning up uneaten fish food.
• Compatibility: Very peaceful and compatible with most community fish (small tetras, rasboras, endlers, etc.), snails, and other shrimp. They do not interbreed with Neocaridina or most Caridina species.

Breeding Note: Breeding in home aquariums is very difficult. Larvae require brackish (slightly salty) water to develop, so most hobbyists do not successfully breed them without special setups.

At Valley Aquatics, Amano Shrimp are a top seller for their unmatched algae control and hardy nature — perfect for keeping your planted tanks sparkling clean when paired with our botanicals!

Here are some clear examples of healthy Amano Shrimp in planted aquariums: