Amano Shrimp
Amano shrimp are the 1st string of the tank cleanup crew, best algae eater. Native to Japan, Taiwan, and parts of coastal China, where it inhabits clear, moving freshwater rivers and streams with rocks and abundant vegetation where they can breed, and find hiding places that keep them feeling secure. Adults live in freshwater, but larvae are swept downstream to brackish waters where they develop before moving back upstream as juveniles. This life cycle is why breeding them in captivity is rare, and nearly all aquarium amanos are caught in the wild.
- Scientific name: Caridina Multidentata
- Size: 1.5 to 2 inches
- Lifespan: 2 to 3 years
- Water parameters:
- pH range: 6.5 to 8.0
- Temperature range: 65F to 80F
- Water hardness: 5 to 15 dGH (90-269 ppm), 1 to 10 dKH (20-180 ppm)
- Stability, consistency more important than chasing any "perfect" numbers
- Diet: Omnivorous scavengers (detritivores), good algae eaters, but feed on detritus, uneaten fish food, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, calcium rich foods
- Breeding: Difficult to breed, requiring specific parameters
- Temperament: Peaceful, work well in community, ei., with small peaceful fish and other shrimp
- Molting: Shedding of exoskeleton to accommodate growth, molting every 6 weeks or so, after molting shrimp is soft and vulnerable and retreat to hiding spot while new exoskeleton hardens, leave the molt in the tank as a rich source of calcium the amanos need
- Water flow: Coming from moving waters, they like gentle yet thorough water flow, well oxygenated but not turbulent
- Filtration: They like clean water with proper balance of nutrients, oxygen, CO2, moderate light, like most aquatic plants, weekly 25% water changes, monitor water conditions regularly