Amano shrimp

Species Profile: Amano Shrimp

• Scientific Name: Caridina multidentata
• Common Name: Amano Shrimp (also known as Yamato Shrimp or Japanese Algae-Eating Shrimp)
• Adult Size: 4 – 6 cm (1.5 – 2.5 inches)
• Life Expectancy: 2 – 5 years (with proper care)
• Habitat: Native to streams and rivers in Japan and Taiwan. Found in clean, well-oxygenated freshwater, often with rocky or sandy substrates and dense vegetation.

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (38 liters)
• Ideal Temperature: 22°C – 26°C (72°F – 79°F)
• pH Range: 6.5 – 7.5
• Water Hardness: 6 – 15 dGH (moderately soft to moderately hard)
• Temperament: Very peaceful and non-aggressive; excellent for community tanks. Best kept in groups of 5 or more for natural behavior and reduced stress.

Diet & Nutrition

• Diet: Omnivore
• Preferred Foods: Primarily feeds on algae, biofilm, and leftover food in the tank. Will also accept algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach), and shrimp-specific pellets.
• Feeding Tips: While great at controlling algae, they still need supplemental feeding in low-algae tanks.

Breeding & Spawning

• Breeding Difficulty: Very difficult in freshwater
• Breeding Info: Amano shrimp breed in freshwater but their larvae require brackish (salty) water to develop. After hatching, the larvae drift to brackish environments, then return to freshwater as they mature—making breeding in home aquariums complex.
• Egg Count: Females carry hundreds of eggs under their abdomen.

Appearance

• Coloration: Transparent or grayish body with tiny dots and dashes along the side (brown or bluish), which can vary in intensity based on diet and health.
• Sex Differences: Females are usually larger and have a distinct broken line of dots along the body, while males have scattered dots.
• Body Shape: Long, slender body with visible swimmerets under the abdomen when carrying eggs.

Distinctive Features

• Famous for their algae-eating capabilities—among the best shrimp for algae control.
• Known for active, constant foraging behavior.
• Transparent body with a slightly shimmering appearance, especially under aquarium lighting.
• Can perform short jumps and quick bursts of speed when startled.