Hey aquarium lovers! If you’re wondering about adding some Amano shrimp to your tank, you’re probably curious about how tough these little guys really are. Well, I’ve kept these awesome algae-eaters for years, and lemme tell you – they’re pretty darn hardy! Let’s dive into everything you need to know about these fascinating creatures.
What Makes Amano Shrimp So Hardy?
These little warriors got their start in Japan and Taiwan, where they deal with all kinds of crazy water conditions in the wild. Here’s what makes them such tough cookies:
- Size Advantage: They grow up to 2 inches – way bigger than your average aquarium shrimp!
- Thick Exoskeleton: Nature gave them some serious armor
- Adaptable Nature: These guys can handle changes that would knock out other shrimp
- Active Lifestyle: Always moving, always cleaning, always healthy
- Flexible Diet: They’ll eat pretty much anything (especially that pesky algae!)
Comparing Hardiness to Other Shrimp
Let’s be real – Amanos are like the tanks of the shrimp world. Here’s how they stack up:
| Shrimp Type | Hardiness Level | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amano Shrimp | Very Hardy | Champion algae eaters |
| Ghost Shrimp | Pretty Hardy | More disease-prone |
| Cherry Shrimp | Moderate | Sensitive to changes |
| Crystal Shrimp | Delicate | Need perfect conditions |
Perfect Tank Conditions (But They’re Forgiving!)
While Amanos can handle a lot. here’s what’ll make ’em super happy
- Temperature: 72-78°F (but can handle 65-85°F)
- pH Level: 6.5-7.5 (they’re cool with 6.0-8.0)
- KH: 2-5 dKH
- Tank Size: 10+ gallons
- Water Changes: 10-25% every 1-2 weeks
What They Can Handle (That Other Shrimp Can’t)
These tough little dudes are pretty impressive when it comes to surviving common shrimp-killers
- Parameter Swings: Way more tolerant than other shrimp
- Higher Nitrates: Can handle up to 40ppm (most shrimp tap out at 10ppm)
- Temperature Changes: Won’t freak out over a few degrees shift
- Aggressive Tank Mates: Big enough to avoid being lunch
- Less-than-perfect Water: While not ideal, they won’t instantly die
Common Myths About Their Hardiness
Let’s bust some myths real quick:
- “They’re completely invincible” – Nah, they still need decent care
- “They can live in any water conditions” – They’re tough, not immortal
- “They don’t need feeding” – They’ll eat algae but appreciate supplements
- “They can’t die from stress” – They’re hardy but not stress-proof
Tips for Keeping Your Amanos Healthy
Even though they’re tough, here’s how to keep ’em thriving:
- Give them plenty of hiding spots (plants, rocks, wood)
- Feed them algae wafers and veggies occasionally
- Avoid copper in the tank (it’s toxic to all invertebrates)
- Keep them with peaceful tank mates
- Maintain stable water conditions when possible
Warning Signs (Even Hardy Shrimp Get Sick)
Watch out for:
- Hanging out at the top of the tank constantly
- Not moving much during active hours
- Turning pink/red (unless they just molted)
- Refusing to eat
- Erratic swimming after water changes
The Bottom Line
Are Amano shrimp hardy? Heck yeah! They’re probably the toughest freshwater shrimp you can get for your aquarium. But remember, “hardy” doesn’t mean “indestructible.” Give them decent care, and they’ll reward you with years of algae-eating service and entertaining activity in your tank.
Just keep in mind – while they can handle some rough conditions. why make ’em suffer? Treat ’em right and they’ll be the best tank cleaners you’ve ever had!
Anyone else keep Amanos? What’s been your experience with their hardiness? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your stories!
Quick Tip: If you’re new to keeping shrimp, Amanos are a great starter species. They’re like the Nokia 3310 of the shrimp world – pretty much bulletproof!
How to Set Up an Aquarium for Amano Shrimp
They come from East Asia in countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Korea and can thrive in both freshwater and low brackish waters. Their hardiness makes them quite adaptable to a wide range of water parameters, so you can keep them in 65–82°F (18–28°C), pH of 6–8, and moderate to hard GH. As with most crustaceans, they need at least some minerals to promote healthy exoskeleton molts, so add Wonder Shell or Seachem Equilibrium if you have soft water.
They have a low bioload and do not need to be kept in groups, so they can live in most nano tanks (or larger), as long as there is a tight-fitting lid. Amano shrimp are expert escapers, so make sure to cover any openings where power cords or airline tubing are coming out of the tank. Also, they would love to live in a jungle of live aquarium plants and decorations, where they can graze all day long and hide when they’re molting.
Amano shrimp are larger than cherry shrimp and may outcompete them for food if there isn’t plenty to go around.
What fish can live with amano shrimp? Because of their outgoing nature and lack of breeding, they can be kept with many similar-sized, peaceful community animals like tetras, Endler’s livebearers, corydoras catfish, bristlenose plecos, kuhli loaches, other shrimp, and snails. However, stay away from any fish that are big enough to eat them, like medium to large cichlids, barbs, and goldfish. Also, they have bottomless stomachs and will happily steal fish food from their tank mates, so don’t keep too many of them with smaller dwarf shrimp and other slower eaters.
Because of their transparent shells, you can see the organs inside of an amano shrimp.
What are Amano Shrimp?
Caridina multidentata (formerly called Caridina japonica) is an algae-eating dwarf shrimp that grows to about 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm), which is slightly bigger than your average Neocaridina cherry shrimp. It is clear-colored with a tan or gray-blue tint (that is sometimes affected by diet) and a solid stripe down the back. Males are smaller and have dots along the side of the body, while females are larger and have a row of dashes instead of dots. While they aren’t the most attractive shrimp, they have lots of interesting behaviors. You can find them constantly grazing for food with their front legs, climbing up plant leaves, and swiping food from bigger fish. Also, they won’t crossbreed with cherry or crystal shrimp, so you don’t have to worry about creating weird hybrids. In fact, they are not capable of reproducing in regular freshwater tanks at all since their larvae require highly brackish or salt water to survive. So, if you see a female fanning the eggs under her tail, don’t hold your breath expecting to see baby shrimp everywhere.
Berried female amano shrimp with eggs under her tail
You Need To Know THIS About Amano Shrimps
FAQ
Are Amano shrimp difficult to keep?
The Amano shrimp is one of the most efficient algae eaters you can add to your tank. This species is 100% beginner-proof, peaceful, and doesn’t require a lot of space.
What is the hardiest pet shrimp?
Neocaridina shrimp, also known as dwarf freshwater shrimp, are perfect for beginners because of their adaptability and hardiness. These shrimp can thrive in various water conditions, making them a popular choice for pet shrimp enthusiasts.
Are Amano shrimp hardier than cherry shrimp?
Both Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp are renowned for their hardiness and adaptability to a wide range of water parameters. They tolerate everything from slight pH swings to temperature fluctuations—perfect for both beginners and seasoned aquarists.
How many years do Amano shrimp live?
With a lifespan of 2-3 years, Amano shrimp grow to 2-3 inches and are available for purchase at a size of 0.75-1.25 inches, making them a great addition to your planted tank and a unique addition to your aquatic community.
Are Amano shrimp Hardy?
Amano shrimp are generally hardy and resistant to most diseases. However, there are a few common ailments that can affect them. The most common diseases that can affect Amano shrimp are fungal and bacterial infections, which can be caused by poor water quality, stress, or injury.
Are Amano shrimp good for freshwater?
Amano shrimp are one of the most popular freshwater shrimps around. It’s hard to find someone with a freshwater tank who hasn’t at least considered adding them to their aquarium at one point. They’re hardy, peaceful, and jump at the opportunity to scarf down any algae that’s in your tank. Amano shrimp are also a lot of fun to watch.
Do Amano shrimp eat fish?
In nature, Amano shrimp are omnivorous. They will scavenge dead and decaying matter from plants and animals, as well as debris building up in their underwater environment. This makes them excellent additions to your tank, like a natural cleaning crew. If a fish dies in your tank, the shrimp will even help clean up its carcass.
What is Amano shrimp?
The Amano shrimp is a fascinating species of freshwater shrimp that is very common in the aquarium trade. It is native to Taiwan and Japan and can grow up to 2 inches in length. It goes by many names, including Japanese shrimp, Japanese swamp shrimp, Japanese algae eaters, Japonica shrimp, algae shrimp, and Yamato shrimp.
How to care for Amano shrimp?
To replicate their natural habitat, it is important to maintain stable water parameters in the aquarium. The ideal temperature range for Amano shrimp is between 72-78°F (22-26°C), and the pH should be kept between 6.5-7.5. It is also important to keep the water hardness between 5-15 dGH.
Are Amano shrimp poisonous?
They’re sensitive to water quality: Amano shrimps are more sensitive to ammonia, nitrate, and copper buildups than many other aquarium species. Fish like Bettas can get sick from prolonged exposure to high levels of these toxins, but Amano shrimps can drop dead pretty quickly.