Amano Shrimp

• ExerciseLow

  A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• GroomingEasy tank upkeep

  No grooming here — steady water quality and routine tank care do it.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceGreat first pet

  Forgiving and easy to get started with.

• Commitment2–3 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Skin conditions · Ich (white spot)

The amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) is a freshwater shrimp from the streams of Japan and Taiwan, made famous by the aquascaper Takashi Amano for its appetite for algae. It grows to about 5 cm — considerably larger than a cherry shrimp — and lives 2–3 years. Its translucent grey-green body is dotted with fine reddish spots. Amanos suit a planted tank of 40 litres or more at 18–27°C with a pH of 6.5–7.5. Like all shrimp they are killed by copper, so medications and fertilisers must be shrimp-safe. Provide plants, moss and driftwood; they are peaceful and active grazers that work well in a group. Uniquely, although they may lay eggs, their larvae need brackish water to develop, so they almost never breed in a home freshwater tank. They are omnivorous scavengers that devour hair and thread algae, biofilm and leftover food, and should be supplemented with algae wafers or blanched vegetables in a clean tank. Peaceful and safe with fish too large to eat them, they are among the best working members of a cleanup crew. Their main risks are failed molts from unstable minerals and copper poisoning, both prevented by stable, copper-free water.

• How active is a Amano Shrimp?

  Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• How much maintenance does a Amano Shrimp need?

  Easy tank upkeep. No grooming here — steady water quality and routine tank care do it.

• What tank size does a Amano Shrimp need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Amano Shrimp a good fit for first-time owners?

  Great first pet. Forgiving and easy to get started with.

• How long do Amano Shrimp live?

  2–3 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Amano Shrimp?

  Keep an eye out for Skin conditions, Ich (white spot). These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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