They are so bouncy
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Amano Shrimp (Algae-Eating Freshwater Shrimp)
Amano Shrimp (Algae-Eating Freshwater Shrimp)
Regular price
$4.95 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$4.95 USD
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per
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Amano Shrimp for Sale – Algae-Eating Freshwater Shrimp
Looking to buy Amano Shrimp online for a planted tank, aquascape, or peaceful freshwater aquarium? Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are famous for their nonstop grazing behavior and strong appetite for biofilm, soft algae, and leftover foods.
Unlike colorful Neocaridina, Amanos are valued less for bright pigmentation and more for their size, activity, hardiness, and usefulness in mature aquariums. Their mostly translucent bodies, dotted side pattern, and busy foraging behavior make them especially popular in planted tanks where natural cleanup and subtle appearance are both desirable.
Shipping SizeApproximately 1/2 to 1 inch.
Excellent GrazerConstantly searches surfaces for biofilm and soft algae.
Peaceful Freshwater ShrimpWorks well in many planted and community aquariums.
Flexible Pack SizesAvailable as 1, 5, or 10 shrimp.
Which Amano Shrimp pack should you choose?
- 1 shrimp: Best for adding an individual Amano to an existing aquarium.
- 5 shrimp: A useful group for a planted nano or medium aquarium.
- 10 shrimp: A larger cleanup group for bigger planted tanks or aquascapes with more grazing surface.
Choose your preferred quantity using the product options above this description.
Why Buy Amano Shrimp From Shrimp Up Aquatics?
- Natural Algae Grazers that continuously forage across plants, hardscape, substrate, and aquarium glass.
- Excellent Biofilm Feeders for mature planted aquariums.
- Peaceful Temperament suited to many carefully selected freshwater community tanks.
- Larger Than Most Dwarf Shrimp as they mature, making adults more visible and robust than many Neocaridina.
- Plant-Safe Foraging that works especially well in aquascaped tanks.
- No Freshwater Population Explosion because successful larval development requires brackish to marine conditions.
If you want to compare Amanos with other aquarium shrimp before ordering, browse our complete freshwater shrimp collection.
What Do Amano Shrimp Look Like?
Amano Shrimp have a mostly transparent to gray-brown body with a distinctive line of dots or dashes along the sides. Their understated coloration helps them blend naturally into planted aquariums while remaining easy to spot when actively grazing.
As they mature, Amanos can grow larger than typical Neocaridina shrimp. Females are generally larger and fuller-bodied than males. Adult females often show elongated dash-like markings along the sides, while males more commonly show smaller dot-like markings.
Our listed shrimp are approximately 1/2 to 1 inch at shipping. They can continue growing after arrival as they mature in a stable aquarium.
Amano Shrimp Water Parameters
Amano Shrimp are adaptable compared with many ornamental Caridina species, but stable water quality remains essential. Avoid sudden swings and always acclimate new shrimp gradually when your aquarium differs significantly from their shipping water.
| Parameter | Recommended Range / Guidance |
|---|---|
| pH | Approximately 6.0–8.0 |
| Temperature | Approximately 65–82°F |
| GH | Moderate to hard, mineralized freshwater |
| KH | Stable; avoid rapid swings |
| TDS | Use as a consistency check; avoid large sudden swings |
| Ammonia | 0 ppm |
| Nitrite | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate | Keep controlled with routine maintenance |
Consistency is more important than chasing one exact number. Amano Shrimp need enough dissolved minerals for healthy molts, clean oxygenated water, and a mature biological filter. Use TDS alongside pH, GH, and KH as a consistency check rather than treating TDS as a standalone target.
Best Tank Setup for Amano Shrimp
A mature planted aquarium with stable water quality and plenty of grazing surface is ideal.
Tank Size
Amanos can live in smaller mature aquariums, but more water volume generally provides better stability and more area for grazing. Larger groups should be given enough space and food so they are not competing constantly at feeding time.
Filtration
Gentle, dependable filtration is important. A mature sponge filter provides biological filtration and an additional biofilm-covered grazing surface. Protect strong filter intakes so shrimp cannot be pulled into them.
Plants & Hardscape
Plants, moss, driftwood, and stone provide enormous amounts of surface area for natural grazing. Browse our live aquarium plants collection when building a planted Amano setup.
Secure Lid
Amano Shrimp are capable climbers and may leave an aquarium if conditions are poor or openings are easily accessible. Keep the tank covered and check gaps around cords, airline tubing, and filter equipment.
What Do Amano Shrimp Eat?
Amano Shrimp are famous algae grazers, but algae should not be their only food source. They also consume biofilm, microorganisms, decaying organic material, leftover fish foods, algae wafers, and shrimp-specific prepared diets.
| Food Source | Typical Amano Interest |
|---|---|
| Biofilm | Excellent natural grazing food |
| Soft algae films | Frequently grazed |
| Hair / filamentous algae | Often grazed, especially when other foods are limited |
| Decaying plant matter | Commonly scavenged |
| Algae wafers & shrimp foods | Readily accepted |
| Tough established algae | Results vary; no shrimp replaces proper algae control |
Do not overfeed. Amanos are opportunistic and may choose richer prepared foods over algae when food is constantly available. They are useful cleanup animals, but they do not replace appropriate lighting, nutrient management, filtration, and routine maintenance.
For supplemental feeding, browse our shrimp food and botanicals.
Can Amano Shrimp Breed in Freshwater?
Amano Shrimp have a very different reproductive cycle from Neocaridina. Adult Amanos live in freshwater and females can carry large numbers of eggs, but the newly hatched larvae require brackish to marine conditions to develop successfully.
That means Amanos generally will not establish a self-reproducing population in a normal freshwater aquarium. This can be an advantage for aquarists who want active shrimp without a rapidly expanding colony.
Important: Amano Shrimp are Caridina multidentata, but their care and breeding requirements are very different from ornamental bee, crystal, and Taiwan Bee Caridina. Do not assume all Caridina need the same water chemistry.
Can Amano Shrimp Live With Fish?
Amano Shrimp can live with many peaceful nano and community fish, but any fish large enough to swallow or seriously harass a shrimp should be avoided.
Good community planning matters more than the species label alone. Provide plants, wood, rockwork, and hiding places so shrimp can retreat while molting. Small peaceful fish, snails, and many other non-aggressive aquarium inhabitants are generally better choices than cichlids or larger predatory fish.
Amano Shrimp vs. Cherry Shrimp
| Trait | Amano Shrimp | Cherry / Neocaridina Shrimp |
|---|---|---|
| Main appeal | Algae grazing, larger size, natural appearance | Bright colors and easy colony breeding |
| Adult size | Generally larger | Generally smaller |
| Freshwater breeding | Larvae do not develop normally in freshwater | Breed completely in freshwater |
| Color | Transparent to gray-brown with spots/dashes | Many selectively bred colors |
| Algae grazing reputation | Excellent | Useful but usually less aggressive grazers |
Amano Shrimp Price & Pack Options
Use the live product options above for current pricing. Amano Shrimp are available in:
- 1 shrimp
- 5 shrimp
- 10 shrimp
The right quantity depends on tank size, available grazing surface, existing livestock, and how much supplemental food is available.
Acclimating Amano Shrimp After Delivery
Shrimp can be sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and water chemistry. Gradual acclimation helps reduce stress as they transition from shipping water to your aquarium.
Follow our Freshwater Shrimp Acclimation Guide before releasing them into the tank.
Live Arrival & DOA Policy: Livestock orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee / DOA Policy. Review the policy before ordering for arrival, documentation, and claim requirements.
Ready to add Amano Shrimp to your aquarium?
Select your preferred 1, 5, or 10-shrimp pack above, then add your livestock to cart.
Amano Shrimp are especially useful in mature planted aquariums where they have plenty of surfaces to graze and peaceful tank mates.
Learn More About Amano Shrimp
Want a deeper guide before or after ordering? Start with these essential Amano Shrimp resources:
- The Ultimate Care Guide for Amano Shrimp in Planted Tanks
- Ideal Water Parameters for Amano Shrimp
- Do Amano Shrimp Need a Heater and Filter?
- How to Acclimate New Amano Shrimp Safely
- The Best Substrate and Hardscape for an Amano Shrimp Setup
- How to Cycle a Tank for Amano Shrimp and Algae Eaters
- What Types of Algae Do Amano Shrimp Actually Eat?
- Why Amano Shrimp Need Brackish Water to Breed
Amano Shrimp FAQ
Are Amano Shrimp good algae eaters?
Yes. Amano Shrimp are widely kept for their active grazing on biofilm, soft algae, and some filamentous algae. Their effectiveness still depends on tank conditions and what other foods are available.
Will Amano Shrimp completely clean algae from my aquarium?
No. They can be valuable members of a cleanup crew, but they cannot correct excessive lighting, nutrient imbalance, poor maintenance, or every type of algae.
How big are the Amano Shrimp when shipped?
Our current Amano Shrimp are approximately 1/2 to 1 inch at shipping and can continue growing as they mature.
How large do adult Amano Shrimp get?
Adult Amanos can reach roughly 1.5 to 2 inches, with females generally becoming larger and fuller-bodied than males.
Can Amano Shrimp breed in freshwater?
Adults can mate and females can carry eggs in freshwater, but the larvae require brackish to marine conditions to develop successfully. They generally do not form self-sustaining colonies in standard freshwater tanks.
Can Amano Shrimp live with Cherry Shrimp?
Yes. Amanos can live with Neocaridina such as Red Cherry Shrimp. Because Amanos are larger and assertive at feeding time, make sure smaller shrimp still receive enough food.
Will Amano Shrimp crossbreed with Neocaridina?
No. Amano Shrimp and Neocaridina are different species and do not crossbreed.
Do Amano Shrimp need a heater?
Not necessarily. A heater is optional when room temperature keeps the aquarium consistently within a suitable range. Stability is more important than heating a tank that is already warm enough.
Do Amano Shrimp need a filter?
Yes, a biologically mature aquarium should have appropriate filtration. Sponge filters are especially shrimp-friendly because they provide gentle filtration and additional grazing surface.
Do Amano Shrimp need to be kept in groups?
Amanos can be kept individually or in groups. Groups are often chosen for larger planted tanks because multiple shrimp provide more visible grazing activity.
Can Amano Shrimp live with community fish?
They can live with many peaceful fish, but avoid species large or aggressive enough to eat or injure shrimp. Provide plenty of hiding places, especially during molts.
Why is my Amano Shrimp trying to climb out?
Amanos are capable climbers. Escape attempts can also be encouraged by poor water quality, sudden parameter changes, inadequate oxygenation, or easy access to openings. Keep water stable and use a secure lid.
How should I acclimate Amano Shrimp?
Use a gradual acclimation process so they can adjust to differences in temperature and water chemistry. Follow the linked Freshwater Shrimp Acclimation Guide for the full process.
Buy Amano Shrimp Online Today
Amano Shrimp are one of the most useful and recognizable freshwater aquarium shrimp for planted tanks. Their larger size, relentless grazing behavior, peaceful nature, and subtle appearance make them a practical addition to aquascapes and community aquariums.
Choose your Amano Shrimp pack above and add a proven freshwater grazer to your aquarium.
Want to compare more shrimp first? Browse our full freshwater shrimp collection.
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 644 reviews.
Probably my 10th order from here and have never received unhealthy shrimp or any DOAs. I’ve told friends about this company too and they’ve all had healthy shrimp too! Recently ordered a 10 pack mix of neos and got close to 20 shrimp. My favorite shop for shrimp!
Zero doa!
Came so fast and with extra shrimp. All survived except for one. Very happy with this order
I'm giving 5 stars because I ordered 10 shrimp and got 20. All arrived alive and within a reasonable time frame. So far, I have had 4 deaths, but that is to be expected when moving to a new home. I did drip acclimate them for 2.5hrs. I feel like the packaging could have been a bit more secure(in particular maybe some paper or something around to bag to fill empty space in the box). Overall though, quite happy with my purchase
I tried using other carriers, and they were either too expensive or always out of stock, but after finding this carrier, I have had great success. This first order, I ordered 10 and got 16, which I can only imagine is to compensate for any that may be lost in transit, which one did, but I wasnt even worried because I got 5 more than expected, so happy with my results I made a second order for 10!!
They sure do love that algae. Very hard workers.
Ordered 7 Shrimp. Got 7 all were alive and the packaging was very good! Would order again:)
Since They arrived thsy been healthy and I love how they take care of the tank. They keep super clean and they are growing pretty quick. Thank you and in the future I'll be ordering more.
Wonderful Amano shrimp. They are beautiful, energetic, good size and with quite a few extras. Great packaging, all but one arrived safely and in excellent shape. This is my second order and the first one was even better. Very pleased with the whole experience.
Ordered 10, got over 20~ With every one of them safe and sound! USPS shipping is also fast, 5 star recommendation!
Everyone arrived safe! Thank you so much for the extras I would like some blue ones though Kelley
Ordered a five pack and they arrived alive and hungry :)
I order 2 amano shrimp, to my Suprise there was 5!! Im not complaining as they were smaller than I thought they would be , apon arrival they were very active and healthy ! And now thriving in there new home 😃.
The shrimp arrived in perfect condition and looked very healthy. They acclimated really well, and all of them survived with no problems. They’re all doing great! This is my second time ordering shrimp from them and I have always had a great experience. I recommend it 100%!
arrived healthy, now on second week and they are growing and active
Fantastic! Would absolutey order from this company again; all 10 shrimp arrived healthy and thriving!
started small but growing quick. will definitely buy from here again.
Ordered 10 and received 12 and all shrimp arrived with no DOA's. Appreciated the extras just in case there were a few casualties during shipment. They are a bit on the smaller size but at least I can see them grow. Would buy again.
Great! All the Amano's are doing great, in fact one of them (see pic) is berried!
Everything was packaged very well, and all of the shrimp arrived alive and healthy. The shrimp were very small at first, but they have grown so quickly! I’m very happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend.
Ordered 7 and got 8 all alive! Packaging was done pretty well. They looked like they were all babies as well. Very happy with the order.
Order was placed and processed very easy. Didn't expect to be so tiny. I think they were juvenile Amano shrimps. One arrived DOA and the rest disappeared in my Betta's aquarium despite having many places to hide this guy was in search and destroy mode.
My amano shrimps came very fast and all arrived faster than expected. All of them were alive and in really good condition. I will definitely order from here again.
Shrimp arrived on time and healthy. This is my second purchase and I’m extremely happy.
This was my second order from Shrimp Up and both were great. Healthy and happy shrimp.
I ordered seven shrimp and only one was DOA, which is currently being taken care of! :) Thank you all so much for fast shipping, healthy shrimp, and replacing my DOA shrimp! I will for sure be shopping with y’all again!
All arrived alive and had a few more than ordered. Thanks
They are going great and growing big! They are all over my community tank working.
Shipped as explained. Package was stuck in st louis so it took a week to get to me. I ordered 5 amano shrimp and got 6 surprisingly all were alive and well. The fault was not at all with this company. Would order from again. A+++++
The order came quickly, the week after my order, and within the explained shipping time span! My local postal worker made sure to hand-deliver them when he knew I would be home, which was fantastic. I ordered two and received five. All arrived alive and are doing well in their temporary tank, even molting.
Shrimp came in alive and well but they are amazing at hiding so you might have trouble spotting them once they are in the tank.
Fast shipping. Healthy shrimp.
I absolutely love my shrimp. They arrived on time and there were even a few extra in there, thanks guys!
I’ve ordered multiple times, every time the shrimp are in great health and when I got the breeder pack I had babies within a month or two. I had an issue with half of my shrimp not delivering last time but they resent the entire order and arrived healthy as usual. Very helpful, fair, and healthy shrimp!
The shrimp came in a well secured packaged box! I purchased 5 of them and they all came in well alive! I’ll definitely be ordering more soon!
They arrived perfectly and healthy and have been doing great in my aquarium
Great buy very healthy and growing thanks
Great thank you
Shrimp are beautiful active and even had babies within a couple days of going into my tank!!!
