Care at a glance
The classic 'algae crew' shrimp Takashi Amano used. Larger and more visible than Neos. Will outgrow risk of being eaten by small tetras.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 2 min read
Part of our complete freshwater shrimp guide.
Shrimp
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Japan, Korea, TaiwanEasy
TL;DR, Amano Shrimp
The classic 'algae crew' shrimp Takashi Amano used. Larger and more visible than Neos. Will outgrow risk of being eaten by small tetras.
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) reaches 4–5 cm and needs a minimum tank of 40 L with a colony of 5+. Native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan. Aim for 20–27 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, 6–15 dGH, and 150–300 ppm TDS. Lifespan: 2–3 years. Breeding: larvae need brackish water, almost never bred in home tanks. Diet: omnivore (heavy algae grazer), Hair algae, biofilm, blanched zucchini, sinking pellets, leftover fish food. Plant-safe: Yes. Tank-mates: Most community fish, outgrow most predators.
Tank fit
The parameters that decide whether amano shrimp fits in your tank.
Parameters
15 °C20 °C25 °C30 °C
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0 dGH5 dGH10 dGH15 dGH20 dGH25 dGH
035810
50 ppm150 ppm250 ppm350 ppm500 ppm
Still
Low
Medium
High
V. high
Profile
Colony minimum
5+
Diet
Omnivore (heavy algae grazer)
Hair algae, biofilm, blanched zucchini, sinking pellets, leftover fish food.
Clean-up crew
Top tier
Breeding
Larvae need brackish water, almost never bred in home tanks
Lifespan
2–3 yrs
Habitat
Cool clear streams of Japan and Taiwan
Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Who it lives with
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Good tank mates
Most community fish (they're big enough not to be eaten). Excellent algae crew alongside Otocinclus.
Avoid
Large or aggressive cichlids, large catfish, anything carnivorous and bigger than ~10 cm.
Pro tips
Hard-won lessons from the tank.
Takashi Amano's original 'algae crew' choice — better hair algae eaters than any other shrimp. Need actual algae to eat: a sparkling-clean tank starves them. Larger than Neocaridina = visible from across the room. They will out-compete smaller shrimp at food — feed them last.
Things to watch for
What can go wrong and how to spot it.
Things to watch for
Failure modes, in order of how dramatic the fix is.
Health
Diseases
Robust. Vorticella possible. Rapid mass die-offs in a tank usually indicate copper, ammonia, or oxygen issue.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
1) Expecting to breed them — physiologically impossible at home. 2) Underestimating their food needs — they need enough algae or supplementation. 3) Adding to a hostile tank because of their size — they're still defenceless.
How to care for it
The practical routine, read top to bottom.
Tank setup
40 L+. Tolerant of wider parameters than Neocaridina or Caridina. Same setup philosophy — stable, copper-free, cycled, with hiding spots.
Background
Where it comes from, how it behaves, and the variants you'll see at retail.
Show backgroundHide background
In the wild
Where it lived before it came home.
Native rangeTaiwanJapanKorea
Origin · Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Streams and rivers of Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and parts of China. Amphidromous lifecycle — adults in fresh water, larvae require brackish/marine water.
Behavior & breeding
How they pair, reproduce, and grow.
- Stage 1
Telling them apart Sexing
Females larger (up to 5 cm) with curved underside and broken-line dotted pattern. Males smaller (3–4 cm) with solid-dotted lateral pattern.
- Stage 2
Molting cycle Molting
Every 4–8 weeks. Larger discarded molts than Neocaridina, often whole and intact.
- Stage 3
Life stages Lifecycle
Females carry eggs (~1000–2000) for 5–6 weeks. Larvae hatch as zoea and must reach brackish water within days or die — making home breeding effectively impossible without dedicated brackish nursery.
Variants & identification
The named cultivars and the lookalikes worth flagging.
Color grades / variants
No grading — wild type only. Translucent grey-green with darker dotted line along the side. Females larger than males.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
What tank size do Amano Shrimp need?
Minimum tank: 40 L with a colony of 5+. Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) reach 4–5 cm as adults.
What water parameters do Amano Shrimp need?
Target 20–27 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, 6–15 dGH, and 150–300 ppm TDS. Mature, cycled, low-nitrate water is non-negotiable.
Are Amano Shrimp safe with fish?
Tank-mate notes: Most community fish, outgrow most predators. Plant safety: Yes.
How do Amano Shrimp breed?
Breeding: Larvae need brackish water, almost never bred in home tanks. In a stable colony of 5+ adults you will see berried females naturally once parameters and food are right.
What do Amano Shrimp eat?
Diet: omnivore (heavy algae grazer), Hair algae, biofilm, blanched zucchini, sinking pellets, leftover fish food. Algae-eating rating: 5/5.
How long do Amano Shrimp live?
Typical lifespan: 2–3 years.
Sources & further reading
More shrimp
See all shrimpAdjacent specimens in the catalogue.
Cross-references
Build the rest of the tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this shrimp with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
