Hey fellow aquarium enthusiasts! Today I’m gonna share everything you need to know about feeding those awesome little cleaners – Amano shrimp! As someone who’s kept these guys for years, I’ll break down their dietary needs in simple terms
Quick Answer
Amano shrimp are omnivores that primarily eat:
- Algae (their favorite food!)
- Fish food leftovers
- Dead plant matter
- Small invertebrates
- Supplemental foods like vegetables and pellets
Natural Diet in the Wild
In their native habitats of Japan and Taiwan, Amano shrimp munch on:
- Various types of algae
- Dead plant materials
- Tiny organisms (called aufwuchs)
- Dead fish and other organic matter
- Biofilm that grows on surfaces
Best Foods for Captive Amano Shrimp
Primary Diet Components
-
Algae – They love eating
- Hair algae
- Black beard algae
- String algae
- Brown algae
- Green spot algae
-
Vegetables (blanched):
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Squash
-
Commercial Foods
- Algae wafers
- High-quality shrimp pellets
- Fish flakes (they’ll catch falling pieces)
- Sinking pellets
Supplemental Foods
- Bloodworms
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Fish food leftovers
- Mineral supplements (for healthy molting)
Feeding Schedule & Tips
I recommend following these feeding guidelines:
- Feed 2-3 times per week for adults
- Only give what they can eat in a few minutes
- Remove uneaten food after 2-3 hours
- Reduce feeding if you see lots of algae in tank
- Feed less if shrimp seem uninterested in supplements
Pro Tips for Feeding Your Amanos
-
Don’t Overfeed!
- Too much food = water quality issues
- They’re great scavengers and can find food
-
Watch Your Parameters
- Temperature: 72-78°F
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- Keep nitrates low
-
Provide Variety
- Mix up their diet weekly
- Include both plant and protein sources
- Ensure they get enough calcium
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying only on algae
- Overfeeding protein-rich foods
- Not removing uneaten food
- Using copper-containing foods (toxic to shrimp!)
- Forgetting about mineral supplements
Signs of Poor Diet
Watch out for:
- Slow growth
- Pale coloration
- Failed molts
- Lethargy
- Lack of activity
Special Dietary Needs
During Molting
- Extra calcium supplementation
- Leave molted shells in tank (they’ll eat them!)
- Reduce disturbances
- Provide hiding spots
For Berried Females
- Increase protein intake
- More frequent small meals
- Additional calcium sources
Tank Setup for Optimal Feeding
Your Amanos will feed better with:
- Lots of plants (natural food source)
- Good water flow
- Plenty of hiding spots
- Clean substrate
- Stable parameters
My Personal Experience
I’ve found that my Amano shrimp do best when I:
- Keep a consistent feeding schedule
- Provide lots of natural grazing surfaces
- Mix up their diet weekly
- Watch their behavior (they’ll tell you if they’re hungry!)
Amano shrimp aren’t picky eaters, but they do need a varied diet for optimal health. Focus on providing plenty of algae, supplement with quality commercial foods, and don’t forget those vegetables! Keep their environment clean and stable, and you’ll have happy, healthy shrimp doing what they do best – keeping your tank clean!
Remember, every tank is different, so observe your shrimp and adjust their diet accordingly. If you’re seeing active, colorful shrimp that molt successfully, you’re probably doing things right!
Have any questions about feeding your Amano shrimp? Drop ’em in the comments below! I’d love to hear about your experiences too.
Amano shrimp natural habitat, history & appearance
Although different sources cite different natural ranges for the Amano shrimp (including as far away as Madagascar), it actually appears to exclusively be found in southern Japan and most of Taiwan.
In their natural habitat, Amano shrimp can be found in larger river systems, particularly the upper reaches. According to research, these waters are characterized by their fast flow, high oxygen levels, lack of aquatic plants (though riverbank vegetation can be present) and large, coarse boulder substrate.
Often, not much is known about how a fish or invertebrate species was first introduced into the aquarium trade. Todays subject is an exception, and its a fun little story! The Amano shrimp has been a staple in the aquarium hobby ever since it was first introduced on a large scale by legendary aquascaper and photographer Takashi Amano.
Known in the hobby as the father of the “Nature Aquarium”, an aquascaping style that employs natural rocks and wood as well as live plants, Amano was experimenting with different shrimp species for algae control when he observed that a then totally unknown species performed much better than the others.
According to Practical Fishkeeping Magazine, Amano promptly asked his regular supplier to gather a few thousand(!) of these wonder shrimp for him. The supplier in question hadnt had much luck selling the species before and was therefore not enthusiastic about the venture, but Amano insisted. His use of what is now known as the Amano shrimp in some of his most legendary aquascapes meant its popularity quickly soared around the globe.
Its appearance isnt what made the Amano shrimp famous: this shrimp is pretty plain-looking. Transparent with a pattern of dark brown to black dots and dashes along its sides, it grows to a maximum size of around 2″, making it a good bit larger than common dwarf shrimp like Neocaridina.
When purchasing from pet stores or online, its common to receive shrimp around 1 inch in size. Purchasing a smaller shrimp doesnt mean it is undesirable or unhealthy, as they will grow quickly in an established, healthy aquatic environment.
Another characteristic that sets Amanos apart from most other shrimp kept in the aquarium is that they start their lives as larvae rather than as tiny copies of their parents. Well go further into this in the section on breeding.
Its pretty easy to tell male and female Amano shrimp apart. First off, if you keep a larger group, youll notice that the males are significantly smaller than their female counterparts. The lowest line of dots on their body is more separated (it looks more like a broken line in females) and the part of the exoskeleton covering their back legs is straight rather than curved.
Lastly, you may see a yellowish to greenish organ behind the females heads—this is called the saddle, and it contains undeveloped eggs. Once these are fertilized, they move to the back legs, more correctly known as the pleopods.
AMANO SHRIMP CARE – Best Algae Eater for Planted Tanks?
FAQ
What should I feed my Amano shrimp?
They will consume all types of fish foods, blanched vegetables, biofilm, rotting leaves, and algae. Of course, they prefer not to eat algae if other tastier options are available, so limit feedings for a few days if you want them to work on your algae problem.
How often do Amano shrimp eat?
I care for amano shrimp about the same as I do for plecos. Make sure you feed the bottom once or twice a week, but just be sure you don’t overfeed, they will just do their own thing and they will spend a lot of time grazing on surfaces.
How to tell if Amano shrimp is happy?
Happy shrimps are grazing most of the time. If your shrimps are standing still for a longer period of time, they might be unhappy. Sometimes shrimps just don’t like the food you give them and won’t come for it. What kind of pellets are those?
Do Amano shrimp eat moss balls?
Interestingly, Amano Shrimp seem particularly fond of Marimo Moss Balls. Caridina Multidentata do not eat moss balls per se. Instead they like to climb on the moss ball, picking off little bits of food as they travel across the surface. Amano Shrimp also like tanks with a sponge filter.