Amano Shrimp

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton (crustacean)

A slender, see-through shrimp with a clear body that can carry a tan or grey-blue tint. A pale stripe runs along the back from head to tail, and each side is marked with a broken line of small reddish-brown spots. The eyes are black, and the short, broad rostrum suits life in fast-moving water. Males show rounder dots along the sides, while the larger females show longer dashes.145

Personality what they are like

A calm, non-aggressive shrimp that spends its day picking over plants, rocks and substrate for food. At feeding time it becomes bold and eager, and individuals may jostle for the best morsels. It is a keen climber and explorer.45

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Constantly on the move, grazing and scavenging across every surface of the tank. Japanese Wikipedia notes it does much of its foraging at night. Plenty of plants and hardscape give it room to climb and search.43

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keep water clean and stable and avoid copper in medicines or plant products, as shrimp are sensitive to it. Moderate to hard water supplies the minerals needed for smooth moults, which happen roughly monthly. Shed shells can be left in the tank because the shrimp often eat them to reclaim minerals. A tight-fitting lid is wise, as Amanos are good at escaping.415

Home where they are happiest

Freshwater aquarium, ideally planted. Aquarium Co-Op says nano tanks and up are fine; Fishkeeping World suggests at least 10 US gallons (about 38 L) and roughly one shrimp per 2 gallons. Temperature 18-28 C. pH roughly 6.0-8.0 (Wikipedia gives 6.5-7.5 as preferred). Moderate to hard GH; Fishkeeping World gives KH 6-8 dKH. Fit a secure lid.451

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous grazer. Feeds mainly on algae, biofilm and decaying leaves, and also takes leftover fish food. Supplement with algae wafers, sinking pellets, shrimp foods with calcium, frozen foods and blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber or spinach when algae runs low.453

Company who they like around

Sources differ: Aquarium Co-Op says Amanos do fine alone, while Fishkeeping World suggests a group of six or more to spread out competition. Good tank mates are small, peaceful fish such as tetras, guppies, corydoras and otocinclus, plus other peaceful shrimp. Large or predatory fish, cichlids, bettas, goldfish and crayfish are poor matches. They will not crossbreed with cherry or crystal shrimp.45

The story where it all began

The species was formally described by Stimpson in 1860 and lives naturally in coastal rivers of Japan and Taiwan. Its rise in the aquarium world is tied to Takashi Amano, the Japanese aquascaper and photographer who founded Aqua Design Amano in 1982. In the 1980s he noticed how much algae these shrimp could clear, bought several thousand from a local supplier, and used them in his planted Nature Aquarium layouts. As his books and tanks became famous worldwide, the shrimp went with them and picked up his name. For years it was traded as Caridina japonica, until a 2006 study confirmed the name Caridina multidentata. Because the larvae need brackish or salt water, breeding in home tanks is rare and most shrimp in the trade still come from specialist breeders or the wild.1625

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy (SeaLifeBase / WoRMS)

Caridina multidentata Stimpson, 1860, family Atyidae. Not evaluated by the IUCN and not listed by CITES.2

Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)

Sold for years as Caridina japonica; a 2006 study settled the name Caridina multidentata.1