Amano Shrimp care guide

Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 20-28 °C, pH 6.5-7.5.

Overview

The Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) is a freshwater atyid shrimp from East Asia popularised in planted aquaria by Japanese aquascaper Takashi Amano. The body is largely translucent grey-brown with rows of darker spots along each flank and a clear pale dorsal stripe.

Taxonomy

Family: Atyidae
Genus: Caridina
Scientific name: Caridina multidentata
Common synonyms: Yamato Shrimp, Japanese Algae-Eating Shrimp

Habitat

Native to swift coastal streams of southern Japan and Taiwan. The species has an amphidromous life cycle: adults live in fresh water while larvae are washed downstream into brackish to fully marine waters where they develop before returning upstream as juveniles.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
Adult size: 3-5 cm
Temperature: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
pH: 6.5-7.5
GH: 3-15 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Lifespan: 2-3 years

Diet

A grazing omnivore. The shrimp is exceptionally effective at consuming filamentous and hair algae, biofilm, leftover food and soft detritus. In aquaria the natural grazing is supplemented with sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables and occasional protein feeds.

Compatibility

Peaceful and gregarious. Best kept in groups of five or more in a planted aquarium with peaceful tank mates such as small tetras, rasboras, Corydoras and Otocinclus; avoid larger predatory species (Betta, Angelfish, Oscar, cichlids) that will eat the shrimp.

Breeding

Reproduction in captivity is difficult because larvae require a salinity transition. Females carry green eggs under the pleopods for several weeks; larvae must be moved to brackish or marine water to develop before being returned to fresh water as juveniles.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: not formally assessed. The species is exported in large numbers from Japan, Taiwan and aquaculture facilities in Southeast Asia.