Hey there fellow aquarists! Today I’m gonna talk about something that’s been bugging many of us – those pesky hair algae and whether our little friends, the Amano shrimp, can help us deal with them As someone who’s kept aquariums for years, I’ve had my fair share of battles with algae, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned!
The Quick Answer
Yes! Amano shrimp absolutely do eat hair algae – and they’re actually one of the most effective algae-eating creatures you can add to your tank. These little guys are like the vacuum cleaners of the aquarium world and they’ll happily munch away at various types of algae including that annoying hair algae.
Why Amano Shrimp Are Algae-Eating Champions
Here’s what makes Amano shrimp such great algae eaters
- They’re incredibly hardworking – these guys spend most of their time foraging
- They’re not picky eaters – they’ll tackle most types of algae
- They’re peaceful – they get along with most tank mates
- They’re tough – they adapt well to different water conditions
- They have a big appetite – a small group can make a noticeable difference
How Many Amano Shrimp Do You Need?
For effective algae control, here’s my recommended stocking guide:
| Tank Size | Recommended Number of Amano Shrimp |
|---|---|
| 10 gallons | 3-4 shrimp |
| 20 gallons | 5-6 shrimp |
| 30 gallons | 8-10 shrimp |
| 40 gallons | 12-13 shrimp |
Making Your Amano Shrimp Eat More Algae
Here’s a little secret – if you want your Amanos to really go to town on that hair algae, you gotta make them work for it! Here’s what I do:
- Don’t overfeed them with other foods
- Feed them just enough to keep them healthy
- Let them get a bit hungry (don’t worry, they won’t starve!)
- Maintain good water quality
- Provide plenty of surfaces for algae to grow on
When Amano Shrimp Might Not Eat Algae
Sometimes your Amanos might seem lazy about eating algae. Here’s usually why:
- They’re getting too much other food (those spoiled little guys!)
- The water parameters are off
- They’re stressed or sick
- There’s too much competition from other tank mates
- The algae type isn’t their favorite
Beyond Amano Shrimp: A Complete Algae Control Strategy
While Amanos are great, I’ve learned you can’t rely on them alone. Here’s my complete strategy for controlling hair algae:
Additional Clean-up Crew Members:
- Cherry shrimp (they’re smaller but work hard!)
- Nerite snails
- Otocinclus catfish
- Siamese algae eaters
Environmental Controls:
- Reduce lighting (6-8 hours daily is plenty)
- Regular water changes (I do 20% weekly)
- Control nutrient levels
- Add fast-growing plants to compete with algae
- Use liquid carbon supplements
Tips for Success with Amano Shrimp
To get the most out of your algae-eating crew:
-
Acclimate them properly
- Take your time
- Match water parameters
- Use drip acclimation if possible
-
Provide hiding spots
- Driftwood
- Plants
- Rock caves
-
Maintain water quality
- Regular testing
- Consistent maintenance
- Stable parameters
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to:
- Adding too few shrimp (they work better in groups)
- Expecting immediate results (give them time!)
- Keeping them with aggressive fish
- Overfeeding other foods
- Using copper-based medications (they’re toxic to shrimp!)
Amano shrimp are awesome little algae eaters, and they definitely do eat hair algae! While they’re not a magic solution, they’re an important part of any natural algae control strategy. Just remember to give them the right conditions, don’t overfeed them, and be patient.
Remember, every tank is different, and what works in my setup might need tweaking in yours. The key is finding the right balance for your specific situation.
Have you tried using Amano shrimp for algae control? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below! And if you’re still struggling with algae issues, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re all in this hobby together!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
The Amano shrimp is such an effective algae eater that one of its common names is actually “algae eating shrimp”! With its transparent body, this species is not the most exciting to look at. Dont let that fool you, though. Its extremely popular due to being the go-to algae exterminator throughout the aquarium and aquascape hobbies.
Amano shrimp arent picky when it comes to algae and will eat almost any type, with black beard algae and cyanobacteria being the only common exceptions. A group of five or so should be enough to keep algae under control in tanks smaller than 20 gallons. Ten or more should work well for larger setups. Do keep in mind that a colony of Amano shrimp usually cant survive off algae alone, so youll have to provide them with additional food at least a few times a week. Pretty much anything works for this: high-end shrimp pellets, simple fish flakes or even some simple blanched peas. Amano shrimp will happily eat it all.
You can buy Amano shrimp at The Shrimp Farm! Order your aquarium cleaning crew here.
Cherry shrimp/Sakura shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Probably the absolute most popular aquarium shrimp in the hobby, cherry shrimp are appreciated for their red coloration, fast breeding and efficiency when it comes to eating algae. Like Amano shrimp, they will eat various types of algae – and they do it quickly. Cherries spend their entire day foraging, eating algae and biofilm wherever they can find them.
Just introduce a colony of at least ten cherry shrimp into your aquarium and sit back! They will multiply quickly, creating a larger and larger algae eating army. Overcrowding wont be an issue, as these shrimp have a low bioload. Most aquariums can sustain dozens or even hundreds of them, as long as youre offering additional foods regularly. If you do feel like your colony is expanding a bit too fast, just sell or give away a few shrimp to a fellow hobbyist.
You can buy cherry shrimp at The Shrimp Farm! Order your cherries here.
Do Amano Shrimp REALLY eat hair algae??
FAQ
What is the best hair algae eater?
For freshwater aquariums, Amano shrimp, Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE), and Otocinclus catfish are highly recommended for controlling hair algae.
Do Amano shrimp eat black beard algae reddit?
They will happily eat black beard algae off of plant leaves. At one point I had a black beard algae issue in my 40 gallon and adding a few Amano Shrimp took care of it. In addition to stabilizing my CO2 regimen.
Will shrimp eat the algae in my tank?
Algae-eating shrimp feed on algae that naturally grow in most aquariums. They will also eat leftover fish food as well as algae wafers; blanched vegetables such as zucchini, brussels sprouts, or cucumber; fish flakes; and shrimp pellets.
Which shrimp is the best algae eater?
Siamese Algae Eaters are known for tackling tough algae, while Sun Orange Amano Shrimp and Tiger Nerites take care of other algae types on plants and glass, …Oct 24, 2024
What do Amano shrimp eat?
Amano shrimp are known as one of the best algae eaters which can eat almost any algae. Other than algae, they eat worms, fish, snails, other dead shrimps, pellets, flakes, algae wafers, and living plants. To get them hungry, you have to refrain from feeding them food to go after the algae.
Do Amano shrimp eat hair algae?
Yes, Amano shrimp eat a variety of algae and that includes hair algae. Do cherry shrimp eat hair algae? Yes, cherry shrimp will also consume hair algae. The Shrimp Farm shares three of its favorite algae eating shrimp species! (Dwarf) shrimp are the janitors of the aquarium world.
Do Amano shrimp eat fish poop?
Yes… probably. While some sources say that shrimp always spit poop out, many owners report that their Amano shrimp do indeed consume fish feces. It is believed that they do this in order to consume any undigested foodstuffs or vitamins which this matter might contain. Do Amano Shrimp Eat Algae? Definitely yes! Amano shrimp love eating algae.
Can Amano shrimp eat black beard algae?
Even though black beard algae are the notorious, tough, resilient algae in the algae category, an amano shrimp can eat them with ease. No matter how resilient these algae are, an amano will prowess it with its inhuman active mode. These black beard algae result from too much light, inadequate filtration, and overfeeding in the tank.
How effective are Amano shrimps on algae infested tanks?
Tho there are some examples to find about how effective the number of Amano shrimps is on algae infested tanks. 4 amano’s didn’t make much a difference 20 amano’s in the same tank later and it was relative algae free in 14 days time.
Can Amano eat algae?
The comparance is difficult, both have the same diet and are omnivorous.. The difference likely is in its size, the Amano is big enough to take on and chew on gritty hair algae and the cherry will have difficulty with that. But algae eating lifestock never is a remedy and will not prevent an algae outbreak if the parameters favour it.