Look, I’ve kept Amano shrimp for years and let me tell you – figuring out the right number of these little guys for your tank isn’t as complicated as some make it seem. I’m gonna break it down real simple and share what’s worked best in my experience.
Quick Answer
For optimal health and happiness, stick to this basic rule: 1 Amano shrimp per 3-4 gallons of water. This gives them enough space and resources without overcrowding.
Here’s a handy stocking chart I’ve put together
| Tank Size (Gallons) | Recommended Number of Amanos |
|---|---|
| 10 gallon | 3-4 shrimp |
| 20 gallon | 5-6 shrimp |
| 30 gallon | 8-10 shrimp |
| 40 gallon | 12-13 shrimp |
| 50 gallon | 15-16 shrimp |
| 55-65 gallon | 18 shrimp |
| 65+ gallon | 18+ shrimp |
Why These Numbers Matter
I’ve learned the hard way that cramming too many Amanos in a small space leads to problems:
- They’ll compete aggressively for food
- Stress levels go up
- Water quality deteriorates faster
- They might start stealing food from other tank mates
Tank Setup for Happy Amanos
To keep your Amanos thriving. you’ll need
Basic Requirements:
- Water temp: 70-80°F
- pH: 6.0-7.0
- Low copper levels (these guys are super sensitive!)
- Clean, well-filtered water
- Plenty of hiding spots
Best Plants for Amanos:
- Java Moss
- Anubias
- Java Fern
- Water Sprite
- Water Lettuce
Feeding Your Amano Squad
Here’s what I’ve found works best
Primary Diet:
- Algae (they’re absolute beasts at cleaning it!)
- Biofilm
- Tank detritus
Supplemental Foods:
- Algae wafers
- Blanched veggies (zucchini and cucumber are favorites)
- High-quality sinking pellets
- Occasional frozen foods
Tank Mates: Who Gets Along?
Good Buddies:
- Cherry Shrimp
- Nerite Snails
- Neon Tetras
- Bristlenose Plecos
- Mystery Snails
Absolute No-Nos:
- Cichlids
- Goldfish
- Gourami
- Arowanas
- Crayfish
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overstocking: Trust me, more isn’t better. Stick to the recommended numbers.
- Copper exposure: Watch those medications and fertilizers!
- Sudden parameter changes: These guys hate quick shifts in water conditions.
- Inadequate hiding spots: They need places to chill, especially when molting.
Breeding: Don’t Get Your Hopes Up
Let’s be real – breeding Amanos in home aquariums is super tricky. They need:
- Brackish water for larvae
- Perfect timing
- Lots of patience
- Separate breeding tanks
Most hobbyists (including me) don’t bother trying to breed them. It’s usually easier to just buy new ones when needed.
My Final Thoughts
After keeping these awesome little cleaners for years, I can say with confidence that following the 1:3-4 gallon rule works best. Your Amanos will be healthier, happier, and do a better job keeping your tank clean.
Remember, these aren’t just any old shrimp – they’re the cleanup crew your tank needs! Just make sure you give them the space and care they deserve, and they’ll reward you with years of algae-eating service.
Have you kept Amano shrimp before? What’s your experience with stocking numbers? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Want more detailed info about Amano shrimp care? Check out my other articles about water parameters and feeding schedules!
Origin and Natural Habitat
Caridina multidentata, or amano shrimp for short, can be found in areas of East Asia like Japan, Taiwan, the Korean peninsula and the Ryukyu Islands. Young amano shrimp start by living in salty, brackish water. When they reach a matured age, they move to freshwater streams and rivers. Their natural habitat should be an influence in designing your freshwater shrimp tank.
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Whether you’re a budding hobbyist or you’re thinking about bringing new tank mates into your aquarium, amano shrimp make a great choice.
One of the more popular aquarium shrimp available, Amano shrimp are best known for their peaceful attitude, ability to cohabitate and diligence in consuming and cleaning algae from the tank.
Are you thinking about adding this new crustacean to your aquarium, but you’re not sure how to take care of Amano shrimp? With our Amano shrimp care guide, you can feel more confident about giving your shrimp everything they need to thrive, from tank size recommendations to water parameters, plant matter suggestions and fish food recommendations.
Here’s our simple care guide for Amano shrimp:
How Many Shrimp Can You Fit In Your Aquarium – How Many Shrimp Per Gallon / Per Litre!
FAQ
How many Amano shrimps per gallon?
In general, one Amano shrimp per 1–2 gallons of water is a good rule of thumb, with a minimum tank requirement of 10 gallons, as you’ll need to keep them in groups of at least five to six shrimp.
How many Amano Shrimp are in a 10 gallon tank?
How many shrimp can you have in a 5 gallon tank?
How big of a tank for 5 Amano Shrimp?
As for the Amanos themselves, we recommend getting at least a few. A 5-gallon tank can sustain a trio, and you can add another shrimp for every gallon after that. Their bioload is almost zero, so there really isn’t much of a limit on how many you can keep.
How many Amano shrimps in a 5 gallon tank?
You can keep 2-3 Amano shrimps in a 5 gallon tank. However, the minimum recommended tank size for Amano shrimps is 10 gallons. And in such a small tank you should not add other fishes as their tankmates but if you are interested you can include a Betta.
How much water do Amano shrimp need?
A 20-gallon tank can produce enough algae for your troupe to feed. Yes, 2 gallons of water will be enough for an amano shrimp, but surviving and thriving are two different things. Your 10-gallon tank won’t be able to produce enough algae for five amano shrimps. Amano shrimp are voracious eaters and can feed on algae 24/7 with few breaks in between.
How many Amano shrimp are in a medium sized aquarium?
Medium-sized aquariums are like a well-appointed living room—bigger and more spacious. Here, the ideal count of Amano shrimp can increase as they benefit from ample space to explore and feed. For tanks ranging between 20 to 30 gallons (75.7 liters), it’s wise to aim for around eight to ten shrimp.
Can Amano shrimp be kept in a freshwater aquarium?
Amano shrimp are spirited little crustaceans that can be kept in freshwater aquariums of almost any size, though the recommended minimum is 10 gallons for a troupe of them. It is important not to overstock the aquarium – but we’ll get into that more below. There are a lot of imposters in the fishkeeping world, however, and many lookalikes.
How many shrimp per 2 gallons?
You can keep 1 Shrimp per 2 Gallons on Water, It is safe to say that the smallest aquarium for shrimps starts from 10 gallons. However, for the smallest swarm of around five, you definitely need to start at 20 gallons to the least. You can Buy Some Live Amano Shrimps on Amazon at a decent price, make sure you check it out!
How much does Amano shrimp cost?
Amano shrimp price varies from place to place, but the average range is between $2 and $5 a piece, though you can purchase them in troupes of 5 or more, depending on the shop. Some places to find Amano shrimp for sale include: Shrimp do well with tannins in the water.