{"product_id":"amano-shrimp","title":"Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) — Live Algae Eater","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Aquarium Hobby's Most Effective Algae Eater\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your planted tank is battling hair algae, thread algae, or diatoms, the Amano Shrimp is your answer. Introduced to the aquarium hobby by legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano in the early 1990s, \u003cem\u003eCaridina multidentata\u003c\/em\u003e remains the gold standard for natural algae control — decades later, nothing else comes close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike algae-eating fish, Amano Shrimp are small, peaceful, and add almost no bioload to your system. They work tirelessly 24\/7, methodically grazing every leaf, rock, and surface — even picking hair algae and black beard algae that most other cleaners ignore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuick Stats\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caridina multidentata (formerly Caridina japonica)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 – 2 inches (females up to 2.5 inches)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore — algae, biofilm, blanched vegetables, shrimp pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons minimum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70 – 80°F (21 – 27°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.5 – 7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 – 8 dKH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTDS:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~200 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAmmonia \/ Nitrite:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0 ppm (fully cycled tank required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 – 3 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding in Freshwater:\u003c\/strong\u003e No — larvae require brackish water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Community fish, dwarf shrimp, snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat They Eat\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmano Shrimp are relentless scavengers and opportunistic algae grazers. Their preferred targets include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHair algae \u0026amp; thread algae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiatoms (brown algae)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoft green algae on plants and hardscape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack beard algae (with a hungry group)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiofilm, decaying plant matter, leftover fish food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePro tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e To keep them working on algae, reduce supplemental feedings. Like any creature given the choice, they'll go for the easy meal first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTank \u0026amp; Care Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmano Shrimp thrive in mature, well-cycled aquariums. Once established in a stable setup, they are extremely hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended group size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5+ shrimp (they are social and more active in groups)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStocking density:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 Amano per 2 gallons as a general guideline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sponge filter or pre-filter sponge recommended to protect shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlants:\u003c\/strong\u003e They love densely planted tanks — more surface area means more grazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid required:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes,  Amano Shrimp are skilled escape artists\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Copper in any form (fertilizers, medications), large or aggressive fish, and unstable water parameters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatible Tank Mates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmano Shrimp are peaceful and do well with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall community fish (tetras, rasboras, Endler's livebearers, danios)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorydoras catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBristlenose plecos\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther dwarf shrimp (cherry shrimp, crystal shrimp) — they will not interbreed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNerite snails and mystery snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to large cichlids, barbs, goldfish, or any fish large enough to swallow them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eWill They Breed in My Tank?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Amano Shrimp will mate in freshwater, and females regularly carry eggs — but the larvae require brackish to marine salinity to survive. In a standard freshwater aquarium, larvae die within hours of hatching. Successful breeding is possible but requires a dedicated brackish rearing tank and advanced husbandry. This is why most Amano Shrimp available in the hobby are wild-caught.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMolting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmano Shrimp molt approximately once a month as they grow. After molting, they are temporarily soft and vulnerable — provide plenty of hiding spots. Leave the empty exoskeleton in the tank; the shrimp will consume it for the calcium. A clear, hollow shell is a molt — not a dead shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many Amano Shrimp do I need to control algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e A group of 5–10 is effective for most planted tanks up to 20 gallons. For heavy algae problems, more is better — Takashi Amano himself famously used them by the hundreds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Amano Shrimp live with cherry shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. They are peaceful toward other shrimp and will not interbreed with Neocaridina species, such as cherry shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo Amano Shrimp eat plants?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. They graze algae \u003cem\u003eoff\u003c\/em\u003e plants but will not eat healthy plant tissue. They may nibble on dying or decaying leaves, which is beneficial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long do Amano Shrimp live?\u003c\/strong\u003e In a well-maintained aquarium, 2 to 3 years is typical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy aren't my Amano Shrimp eating the algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e They're likely eating tastier supplemental food instead. Reduce or pause feeding for a few days to redirect their attention to algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Amano Shrimp good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes! They are one of the most beginner-friendly invertebrates available.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Small Fish Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42633392586848,"sku":null,"price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0647\/3744\/3936\/files\/Amano.jpg?v=1772521348","url":"https:\/\/thesmallfishstore.com\/products\/amano-shrimp","provider":"The Small Fish Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}