Amano Shrimp

About

Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are probably the most widely recommended invertebrate in the freshwater hobby, and for good reason. Few tankmates put in the same hours cleaning up nuisance algae. Named after legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano, who popularized their use in planted tanks, these shrimp are native to Japan and parts of coastal Asia, where they inhabit streams and rivers with clean, well-oxygenated water. Adults reach about two inches, making them noticeably larger than most dwarf shrimp, with a semi-transparent body marked by a row of dashes and dots along each side. That size is part of what makes them effective: they can muscle through tougher algae that smaller species ignore, including the notorious black brush algae that stumps so many planted tank keepers. There's a catch, though. If you're feeding the tank well, they'll happily prioritize fish food over algae and let the green stuff accumulate. They're also not shy about swiping food from smaller shrimp nearby. In a safe, low-predator environment they become bold and active, constantly picking at surfaces throughout the tank. Plan for molting cycles roughly once a month. A hiding shrimp is not a dead shrimp. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as they are capable jumpers.