Amano Shrimp Care Guide: The Best Algae Eaters for Your Tank

Amano shrimp are the workhorses of the planted aquarium hobby. Named after the legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano, who popularized their use in the 1980s, these hardy shrimp are famous for their insatiable appetite for algae. If you want a cleaner crew that actually does the job, Amano shrimp are your best bet.

An Amano shrimp foraging on dwarf baby tears - their transparent bodies and distinctive spots make them easy to identify

Quick Facts: Amano Shrimp at a Glance

What Makes Amano Shrimp Special?

Unlike cherry shrimp or crystal shrimp, Amano shrimp were bred for one purpose: cleaning. They are absolute machines when it comes to eating algae, and their larger size means they can tackle problems that smaller shrimp cannot.

◆Algae-Eating Superpowers

Amano shrimp will devour:

• •Hair algae - Their specialty. They pull it apart strand by strand
• •Brush algae / Black beard algae (BBA) - They will pick at it, especially young growth
• •Green spot algae - They scrape it off leaves and glass
• •Brown diatoms - Common in new tanks, easy snack for Amanos
• •Biofilm - They graze constantly on the invisible film coating surfaces

u/aShinyNewLife on r/shrimptank put it well: "Amanos are the goats of the shrimp world and will eat just about anything. They're also great cleaners."

◆Size Advantage

At 1.5-2 inches, Amano shrimp are significantly larger than most dwarf shrimp. This size offers several benefits:

• •Less likely to become fish food
• •Can outcompete smaller shrimp for food
• •Cover more ground when cleaning
• •More visible and interesting to watch

The distinctive reddish-brown dots and dashes along the body help identify Amano shrimp

Tank Setup for Amano Shrimp

◆Tank Size

Minimum: 10 gallons for a group of 3-6 Amano shrimp. While they can technically survive in smaller tanks, they produce more waste than smaller shrimp and need stable water parameters.

For larger groups (10+), aim for 20 gallons or more. Amano shrimp appreciate swimming room and will be more active in spacious tanks.

◆Filtration

Amano shrimp need clean, well-oxygenated water. A good filter is essential:

• •Sponge filters are ideal - safe for shrimp and provide grazing surfaces
• •Hang-on-back (HOB) filters work well with a prefilter sponge on the intake
• •Canister filters are great for larger setups

Pro tip: Cover any filter intakes with a sponge or stainless steel mesh. While adult Amanos are too large to get sucked in, protecting intakes becomes habit if you keep any dwarf shrimp.

The Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter is a reliable choice that many shrimp keepers swear by.

◆Substrate

Amano shrimp are not picky about substrate. Unlike Caridina crystal shrimp, they do not require buffering substrates. Good options include:

• •Inert gravel - Easy to clean
• •Sand - Natural look, shrimp enjoy sifting through it
• •Planted tank substrates - Fluval Stratum, ADA Amazonia work fine

Avoid sharp substrates that could damage their delicate appendages.

◆Plants and Decorations

Amano shrimp thrive in planted tanks. Plants provide:

• •Surfaces for biofilm growth (free food)
• •Hiding spots during molting
• •Algae control (healthy plants compete with algae)

Great plant choices:

• •Java moss - Traps debris and biofilm
• •Java fern - Hardy, low-light tolerant
• •Anubias - Slow-growing, provides grazing surfaces
• •Moss balls (Marimo) - Amanos love picking at these

Add driftwood and rocks for additional hiding spots. Amano shrimp will explore every surface looking for food.

◆Lighting

Amano shrimp do not have specific lighting requirements, but your plants do. Moderate lighting (6-8 hours daily) supports plant growth without encouraging excessive algae.

If you are dealing with algae problems, reducing light duration is more effective than relying solely on shrimp cleanup crew.

Water Parameters

Amano shrimp are more tolerant than many Caridina species, but stable parameters are still important:

◆Temperature Considerations

Amano shrimp tolerate a wide temperature range (65-82°F), but higher temperatures speed up metabolism and shorten lifespan. For maximum longevity, keep them on the cooler side (72-76°F).

In warmer climates, a clip-on fan or chiller may be necessary during summer months.

◆The Copper Warning

Like all invertebrates, Amano shrimp are extremely sensitive to copper. Even trace amounts can be lethal. Watch out for:

• •Medications containing copper (common in ich treatments)
• •Fertilizers with copper additives
• •Tap water with copper pipes

Always check ingredient labels before adding anything to a shrimp tank. If copper is listed, do not use it.

Cycling Your Tank

Never add Amano shrimp to an uncycled tank. Ammonia and nitrite spikes will kill them quickly.

Your tank is cycled when:

• •Ammonia: 0 ppm
• •Nitrite: 0 ppm
• •Nitrate: Present (indicates bacteria are working)

Cycling typically takes 4-6 weeks. Use a quality test kit like the API Freshwater Master Test Kit to monitor your parameters.

Acclimating Amano Shrimp

Proper acclimation is critical. Shrimp are more sensitive to parameter changes than fish.

Drip Acclimation Method (Recommended):

1. •Float the bag for 15-20 minutes to equalize temperature
2. •Place shrimp and bag water in a container
3. •Start a drip line from your tank (airline tubing with a knot works)
4. •Drip 2-4 drops per second
5. •When water volume doubles (about 1-2 hours), remove half the water
6. •Continue dripping until doubled again
7. •Net the shrimp (never pour store water into your tank) and release

u/Joe_Man1243 on Reddit noted: "Always drip acclimate for 1-2 hours at the very least. No matter which ornamental shrimp species you've got, they're always a little fragile."

Feeding Amano Shrimp

Amano shrimp clutching food with their front legs - they are enthusiastic eaters

◆Do They Need Supplemental Feeding?

It depends on your tank. In a mature planted tank with moderate algae, Amano shrimp may find enough natural food. But most tanks benefit from occasional supplemental feeding.

As u/IMayBeInYourClass shared on r/shrimptank: "I feed 3x a week - they are always hungry but too much feeding they won't eat algae."

◆Best Foods for Amano Shrimp

Commercial Foods:

• •Hikari Algae Wafers - A staple food loved by Amanos
• •Fluval Bug Bites - Insect-based protein
• •Shrimp-specific pellets and wafers

Vegetables:

• •Blanched spinach
• •Blanched zucchini
• •Cucumber slices
• •Blanched kale

Protein treats (occasional):

• •Frozen bloodworms
• •Freeze-dried brine shrimp

Biofilm boosters:

• •Bacter AE - Promotes biofilm growth

◆Feeding Frequency

◆The "Greedy" Amano Problem

Amano shrimp are notorious food thieves. They will grab an algae wafer and run off with the entire thing, leaving nothing for tank mates.

Solutions:

• •Drop multiple small pieces in different spots
• •Use sinking pellets that break apart
• •Feed at night when fish are less active

One Reddit user described them perfectly: "Mine try to steal the algae wafers I put in for my otos."

◆How to Know They Are Getting Enough

Check their "poop line" - the digestive tract visible through their transparent body. A full, dark poop line indicates adequate food intake. Empty or faint poop lines mean they need more food.

Tank Mates for Amano Shrimp

◆Good Tank Mates

Amano shrimp are compatible with most peaceful community fish:

• •Small tetras - Neon tetras, ember tetras, cardinal tetras
• •Rasboras - Harlequin rasboras, chili rasboras
• •Corydoras catfish - Peaceful bottom dwellers
• •Otocinclus - Fellow algae eaters, great companions
• •Small plecos - Bristlenose plecos work well
• •Snails - Nerite snails, mystery snails, ramshorn snails
• •Other shrimp - Cherry shrimp, ghost shrimp

◆Bad Tank Mates

Avoid housing Amano shrimp with:

• •Cichlids - Most are too aggressive
• •Large fish - Anything that can fit a shrimp in its mouth
• •Aggressive bettas - Some bettas hunt shrimp (though many peaceful bettas coexist fine)
• •Goldfish - Will eat shrimp and prefer different temperatures
• •Crayfish - Will hunt and eat shrimp

◆Living with Bettas

The betta question comes up often. Here is the reality: it depends entirely on the individual betta's personality. Some bettas ignore shrimp completely. Others become relentless hunters.

Even "peaceful" bettas create stress. As one keeper on r/shrimptank observed: "No matter how 'chill' the fish is, your shrimp are going to see him as a predator. Take the predator out and your shrimp will be living their best life."

If you must keep them together, provide heavy plant cover and monitor closely for the first few weeks.

◆Living with Smaller Shrimp

Amano shrimp can coexist with cherry shrimp and other dwarf shrimp, but be aware:

• •Amanos will outcompete smaller shrimp for food
• •They may chase smaller shrimp away from feeding spots
• •They do not harm or prey on smaller shrimp

Simply provide enough food for everyone and multiple feeding locations.

Molting and Growth

Amano shrimp molt regularly as they grow, shedding their old exoskeleton. After molting, they are vulnerable until their new shell hardens (24-48 hours).

◆Signs of Upcoming Molt

• •Hiding more than usual
• •Refusing food
• •Milky or cloudy appearance

◆Supporting Healthy Molts

1. •Maintain stable GH - Calcium and magnesium are essential for shell formation
2. •Never remove molts - Shrimp eat their old shells for mineral recovery
3. •Provide hiding spots - Vulnerable shrimp need places to hide
4. •Keep parameters stable - Sudden changes trigger molting and can cause failed molts

Breeding Amano Shrimp

A berried (egg-carrying) female Amano shrimp - notice the greenish egg mass under her abdomen

Here is the hard truth: breeding Amano shrimp in home aquariums is extremely difficult.

◆Why Breeding Is Challenging

In the wild, Amano shrimp have a unique life cycle:

1. •Adults live in freshwater streams
2. •Females carry eggs for about 5 weeks
3. •Larvae are released and swept downstream to brackish/saltwater
4. •Larvae develop through multiple stages in brackish water
5. •Juveniles migrate back upstream to freshwater

Replicating this in captivity requires:

• •Separating berried females before hatching
• •Transferring larvae to brackish water (specific gravity ~1.014)
• •Feeding microscopic foods (phytoplankton)
• •Gradually returning juveniles to freshwater at the right time

Most hobbyists simply buy new Amano shrimp rather than attempting to breed them. If breeding interests you, search for detailed guides - it is a project for dedicated enthusiasts.

◆Telling Males from Females

Common Problems and Solutions

◆"My Amano Shrimp Are Hiding All Day"

Possible causes:

• •New tank stress - Give them 1-2 weeks to settle
• •Predatory tank mates - Even peaceful fish can stress shrimp
• •Bright lighting - Provide shaded areas
• •Recent molting - Normal hiding behavior

◆"My Amano Shrimp Turned Orange/Red"

A reddish or orange tint usually indicates:

• •Diet - High-carotenoid foods can intensify color
• •Stress - Acute stress can cause color changes
• •Illness - If combined with lethargy, check water parameters

A slight reddish tint is often normal and nothing to worry about.

◆"My Amano Shrimp Is Not Eating Algae"

If well-fed, Amano shrimp may ignore algae. Reduce supplemental feeding to encourage natural grazing. They will return to eating algae when hungry.

◆"My Amano Shrimp Died After Adding It"

Most common causes:

• •Inadequate acclimation - Always drip acclimate
• •Copper exposure - Check medications and water source
• •Ammonia/nitrite - Tank may not be fully cycled
• •Temperature shock - Float the bag before acclimating

Where to Buy Amano Shrimp

Amano shrimp are available at:

• •Local fish stores - Best option for healthy shrimp
• •Big box pet stores - Quality varies
• •Online retailers - Many reputable sellers ship shrimp

Expect to pay $3-5 per shrimp depending on size. Buy in groups of at least 3-6 for best results.

◆What to Look For

Healthy Amano shrimp have:

• •Clear, slightly transparent bodies
• •Visible dots and markings
• •Active behavior
• •Full antennae (not broken)
• •No white spots or discoloration

Avoid shrimp that are:

• •Lethargic or lying on their sides
• •Cloudy or opaque
• •In tanks with dead shrimp

FAQs

How many Amano shrimp should I get? Start with 3-6 for a 10-20 gallon tank. You can add more in larger tanks - roughly 1 Amano per 2-3 gallons for algae control.

Do Amano shrimp need a heater? Only if your room temperature drops below 65°F. They tolerate a wide range but prefer 72-78°F.

Can Amano shrimp escape the tank? They can and will climb out if given the opportunity, especially in open-top tanks or when stressed. Keep a lid on your tank.

How long do Amano shrimp live? 2-3 years with proper care. Some keepers report specimens living 5+ years.

Will Amano shrimp eat my plants? No. They eat algae and decaying plant matter, not healthy plants.

Final Thoughts

Amano shrimp are the best algae-eating shrimp you can buy. They are hardy, long-lived, peaceful, and incredibly effective at keeping tanks clean. While they will not breed in your tank, a group of Amanos can last for years and save you countless hours of manual algae removal.

For beginners, they are an excellent first shrimp. For experienced aquarists, they remain a staple of the planted tank hobby for good reason.

Start with a group of 5-6, give them a mature tank with stable water, and watch them work their magic.

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Looking for more shrimp keeping tips? Check out our Cherry Shrimp Care Guide or learn about The Best Plants for Shrimp Tanks.