Where to Buy Amano Shrimp: The Best Places to Find These Fantastic Algae Eaters

Amano shrimp, also known as Yamato shrimp are a favorite freshwater shrimp species among aquarium enthusiasts. With their voracious appetites for algae and impressive size reaching over 2 inches, amanos make excellent additions to planted tanks and reef setups. But where can you find high-quality amano shrimp for sale?

In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying amano shrimp including

• Amano Shrimp Overview
• Benefits of Adding Amanos to Your Tank
• Where to Buy Amano Shrimp Online
• Buying Amanos Locally
• How to Acclimate New Amano Shrimp
• Caring for Your New Amano Shrimp

A Quick Overview of Amano Shrimp

Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are native to Japan and Taiwan. They were introduced to the aquarium trade in the 1980s by renowned aquascaper Takashi Amano.

These large shrimp thrive in planted aquariums between 60-80°F. They do best in established tanks with stable water parameters. Amanos have a reputation for being hardy and undemanding.

While not as colorful as cherry or bee shrimp, amanos have transparent bodies with a brownish grayscale color. During mating, females develop saddles in hues of green, yellow, red, or blue.

Amanos are peaceful shrimp that can live with small community fish and dwarf shrimp. They help control algae thanks to their omnivorous diet and industrious grazing. These scavengers will also eat biofilm, uneaten fish food, and decaying plant matter.

The Benefits of Adding Amano Shrimp to Your Tank

Here are some of the top reasons to add amano shrimp to your freshwater aquarium:

• Algae Control – Amanos are relentless algae eaters that will help keep tank walls, decor, substrates, and plants free of unsightly green spot algae, hair algae, and diatoms.

• Clean-Up Crew – As scavengers, amanos pick tank surfaces clean of leftover fish food, biofilms, and decaying plant debris. Their constant grazing helps reduce waste buildup.

• Peaceful Nature – Amano shrimp have a reputation for being extremely peaceful. They can be kept with small community fish as well as dwarf shrimp like cherry shrimp.

• Hardy Disposition – Amanos are very hardy and undemanding. Their larger size makes them less prone to being eaten than dwarf shrimp. They can tolerate a wide range of water parameters which makes them ideal for beginners.

• Impressive Size – Growing over 2 inches long, amano shrimp add visual impact and interest to planted tank setups. Their large size allows you to easily observe their natural behaviors and grazing habits.

The Best Places to Buy Amano Shrimp Online

Purchasing shrimp online has become extremely popular thanks to the convenience of home delivery and competitive pricing. Here are some of the best online stores for buying healthy amano shrimp:

Flip Aquatics

Flip Aquatics is one of the most trusted sources for buying shrimp online. They quarantine shrimp for 30 days and offer a 100% live arrival guarantee. Flip Aquatics provides excellent customer service and high-quality shrimp like their amanos which arrive active and ready to clean algae.

Aquatic Arts

This family-owned company is known for gorgeous shrimp, plants, and rare nano fish species. They quarantine livestock and stand behind their 7 day health guarantee. Aquatic Arts has fantastic customer reviews and their amano shrimp selections are top-notch.

Planted Aquariums Central

Focusing on shrimp and aquatic plants, Planted Aquariums Central has a loyal following thanks to their high-quality livestock. Their amano shrimp are packaged with care and arrive healthy after quick 2 day shipping.

Imperial Tropicals

Known for an extensive collection of freshwater shrimp, Imperial Tropicals is a trusted source for buying amano shrimp online. They have a 14 day health guarantee and ship shrimp with breather bags and insulation to ensure safe transit.

Finding Amano Shrimp at Local Fish Stores

Your local fish store (LFS) can also be a good option for sourcing healthy amano shrimp. Here are some tips for choosing the best shrimp specimens:

• Inspect shrimp in person before buying to check for signs of disease or parasites. Avoid any shrimp acting lethargic or with clouded exoskeletons.

• Select shrimp showing natural behaviors like grazing, swimming freely, and fanning pleopods (swimmerets). Shrimp bundled in corners may be stressed.

• Ask staff questions about their shrimp suppliers, acclimation process, and tank conditions. Reputable stores will have dedicated shrimp systems.

• Some stores may be willing to order amano shrimp for you if they don’t have any in stock. Special ordering allows you to get the exact quantity and size of shrimp desired.

Acclimating New Amano Shrimp to Your Tank

Once you’ve selected new amano shrimp, proper acclimation is vital to avoid shock. Here are some tips:

• Turn off tank lights to reduce stress. Open the shrimp bag and roll down the sides so shrimp can breathe oxygenated air.

• Use aquarium water to gradually decrease temperature differences between the shrimp bag and your tank over 30-60 minutes.

• Add small amounts of tank water to the bag every 10-15 minutes to slowly acclimate shrimp to your water parameters like pH, GH, KH.

• Once temperature and water chemistry is equalized, gently net shrimp out and release into your tank. Discard bag water to avoid contaminants entering the aquarium.

• It’s normal for new shrimp to hide after introduction. Offer blanched veggies after a few hours to encourage eating.

Caring for Your Amano Shrimp

Follow these tips to keep your amano shrimp healthy and happy in their new home:

• Tank Size – Amanos need at least a 10 gallon planted tank, but larger is always better. Make sure tank is fully cycled before adding shrimp.

• Water Parameters – Ideal water parameters for amanos are pH between 6.5-7.5, GH 5-10, KH 3-8, temperature 68-78°F. Perform regular partial water changes.

• Tankmates – Peaceful community fish under 2 inches like tetras, rasboras, guppies along with dwarf shrimp make the best tankmates. Avoid known shrimp predators.

• Diet – Amanos are omnivores that will find natural food sources in established tanks. Supplement their diet with blanched veggies and quality shrimp pellets or wafers 2-3 times per week. Avoid overfeeding.

• Plants & Decor – Heavily planted tanks offer grazing areas, infusoria, shelter, and algae for shrimp. Include rock caves, driftwood, leaf litter, and moss for ample hiding spots.

With proper care, amano shrimp can live 2-3 years in home aquariums while tirelessly keeping tanks clean of algae overgrowth. Their impressive size, hardy disposition, and peacefulness makes amanos one of the most popular freshwater shrimp species for aquarists.

Whether you choose to buy amano shrimp locally or order from a specialty online retailer, be sure to select active, healthy specimens. With a properly cycled and maintained tank, these fantastic shrimp will be an excellent addition and provide hours of activity to observe.