If you want to get rid of algae in your aquarium, don’t get fish. Instead, get an Amano shrimp. This species is 100% beginner-proof, peaceful, and doesnt require a lot of space. Could it be any more perfect? .
Read on to learn everything you need to know to keep Amano shrimp, which are one of our favorite types of freshwater shrimp.
Amano shrimp are a favorite freshwater shrimp among aquarists for good reason – they are known for being hardy and undemanding. But exactly how hardy are these algae-eating machines? What makes the Amano shrimp able to withstand conditions that other species succumb to?
In this comprehensive guide. we’ll examine what makes Amano shrimp so hardy including
- Their natural history and adaptations
- Factors impacting their hardiness
- How they compare to other shrimp species
- Ideal tank conditions for them
- Their resilience to common shrimp killers
Discover why Amano shrimp have a reputation for being bulletproof and if they really live up to the hype.
Origins of the Hardy Amano Shrimp
To understand the hardy nature of Amano shrimp, we must first look at their origins. Amano shrimp are native to parts of Japan and Taiwan.
In the wild they inhabit slow-moving freshwater streams, ponds, rivers, and swamps. These environments tend to have widely fluctuating conditions.
Amanos have adapted over time to handle significant changes in water parameters like pH, temperature, dissolved minerals, and more. Their natural habitats prepared them for the variable conditions often found in home aquariums.
Developing hardiness was a matter of survival in their native ecosystem. This gives them a leg up compared to shrimp from more stable waters.
Factors Contributing to Their Toughness
So what exactly makes Amano shrimp so rugged? There are a few key traits that allow them to thrive where others falter:
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Adaptive nature – Adjusts well to a wide range of water conditions. Can handle pH from 6.5 to 8.5, temperatures from 65°F to 85°F, and moderate shifts in GH/KH.
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Larger size – Amanos can reach 2 inches long. Their larger bodies help them endure stress better than tiny shrimp.
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Thick shells – Their exoskeletons provide ample protection from aggressive fish and unstable parameters.
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High activity level – They constantly forage for food. This active lifestyle keeps them healthier.
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Algae diet – Amanos are excellent algae eaters. Algae provides nutrients and polysaccharides that improve resilience.
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Scavenging – Not picky eaters. They scavenge all kinds of organic matter for food.
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Mild temperament – Peaceful nature avoids the stress of fighting tankmates.
How Amanos Compare to Other Shrimp
Amano shrimp are often considered the hardiest freshwater shrimp available. But how do they stack up to some other popular species?
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Ghost shrimp – Nearly as hardy but more prone to disease.
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Red Cherry shrimp – Much more sensitive to water changes. Not as durable.
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Bamboo shrimp – Similar hardiness when conditions are stable but struggles with shifts.
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Vampire shrimp– Nearly as tough but requires pristine water quality.
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Crystal shrimp – Very sensitive to parameters changes. Not hardy at all.
While no shrimp is fully bulletproof, Amanos lead the pack when it comes to resilience in common aquarium conditions.
Ideal Conditions for Healthy Amano Shrimp
While Amano shrimp can tolerate a wide range of conditions, they do best within certain parameters. Here are the ideal tank conditions to keep them thriving:
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Temperature – 68°F to 78°F, though they can handle 60°F to 82°F
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pH – 6.5 to 7.5. Very acidic or alkaline water will impact lifespan.
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GH/KH – 4-8 / 3-10. Prefer a bit of mineral content but a wide range is ok.
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Decor – Plenty of plants and rocks to graze algae and shelter.
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Substrate – Fine gravel or sand. Nothing sharp that can damage their underside.
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Filtration – Low flow adequate filtration to keep water clean.
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Tankmates – Peaceful community fish that won’t nip or eat shrimp.
While not always necessary due to their hardy nature, sticking close to these optimal conditions will result in thriving Amano shrimp.
Handling Common Shrimp Killers
Amano shrimp are known for handling common shrimp tank pitfalls far better than other species. But what exactly are they so resistant to?
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Poor Water Quality – Their active nature makes them tolerant to buildups of nitrate, waste, and organic debris that sensitive shrimp struggle with.
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High Nitrate – Levels up to 40 ppm seem to have little effect on them compared to under 10 ppm for most shrimp.
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pH Fluctuations – They readily adjust to pH swings from 6.5 to 8.5 that shock species like Crystal shrimp.
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Temperature Shifts – Changes of 8-10°F are handled well by Amanos unlike gradual change shrimp require.
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Aggressive Fish – Their size and armor protects them from nippy fish other shrimp become food for.
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Insufficient Food – As scavengers, they eat whatever they find. Picky eaters like Bamboo shrimp starve.
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Heavy Metals – More resistant to copper and other metals than nearly any freshwater shrimp. Not immune though.
Amanos have an impressive resume of resilience when compared to commonly kept shrimp species. But it’s important to remember no shrimp is bulletproof, and even hardy Amano shrimp have their limits if conditions decline too far.
Are Amano Shrimp Really Hardy?
After reviewing their natural origins, adaptations, ideal conditions, and ability to withstand common shrimp killers, it’s clear Amano shrimp live up to their reputation as hardy.
Compared to popular shrimp like Red Cherry, Crystal, and Bamboo species, Amano shrimp come out on top in terms of durability.
However, they are not immortal. Providing good water quality, stable parameters, proper diet, and a peaceful tank is still important. Their hardy nature gives you more leeway if conditions are less than perfect though.
While no shrimp is indestructible, Amano shrimp check nearly every box when it comes to qualities that make a durable shrimp species. If you’re looking for a shrimp that can handle the inevitable fluctuations and imperfections of an aquarium environment, Amano shrimp are a nearly unbeatable choice!
Amano shrimp natural habitat, history & appearance
Several sources say that the Amano shrimp can be found in many places, even as far away as Madagascar, but it only seems to be found in southern Japan and most of Taiwan.
In their natural habitat, Amano shrimp can be found in larger river systems, particularly the upper reaches. According to research, these waters are characterized by their fast flow, high oxygen levels, lack of aquatic plants (though riverbank vegetation can be present) and large, coarse boulder substrate.
Most of the time, not much is known about how a species of fish or invertebrate got its start in the aquarium business. This topic is different, and it’s a fun little story! The Amano shrimp has been a mainstay in aquarium hobby ever since famous aquascaper and photographer Takashi Amano brought it to the world on a large scale.
Amano is known in the hobby as the founder of the “Nature Aquarium” style of aquascaping, which uses real plants and rocks. He was testing different types of shrimp to see which would kill algae best when he noticed that a species that no one knew about did much better than the others.
According to Practical Fishkeeping Magazine, Amano promptly asked his regular supplier to gather a few thousand(!) of these wonder shrimp for him. The supplier in question hadnt had much luck selling the species before and was therefore not enthusiastic about the venture, but Amano insisted. His use of what is now known as the Amano shrimp in some of his most legendary aquascapes meant its popularity quickly soared around the globe.
Its appearance isnt what made the Amano shrimp famous: this shrimp is pretty plain-looking. It grows to about 2 inches long and is clear with dark brown to black dots and dashes running along its sides. This makes it a bit bigger than common dwarf shrimp like Neocaridina.
When purchasing from pet stores or online, its common to receive shrimp around 1 inch in size. If you buy a smaller shrimp, that doesn’t mean it’s bad or unhealthy; they will grow quickly in a well-established, healthy water environment.
What makes Amanos shrimp different from most aquarium shrimp is that they don’t start out as tiny copies of their parents. Instead, they are called larvae. Well go further into this in the section on breeding.
Its pretty easy to tell male and female Amano shrimp apart. From the start, you’ll notice that the males are much smaller than the females if you keep a larger group. In females, the bottom line of dots on their bodies is more spaced out and looks more like a broken line. The part of their exoskeleton that covers their back legs is straight instead of curved.
Lastly, you may see a yellowish to greenish structure behind the females’ heads. This is the saddle, and it holds eggs that haven’t fully developed yet. Once these are fertilized, they move to the back legs, more correctly known as the pleopods.
AMANO SHRIMP CARE – Best Algae Eater for Planted Tanks?
How hard are Amano shrimp?
Amano shrimp prefer a carbonate hardness (KH) between 2 and 5 dKH and a total dissolved solids (TDS) between 150 and 300 ppm. Amano shrimp are a popular freshwater shrimp species that can make great additions to aquariums. Proper care is necessary to ensure their health and longevity in captivity.
How do Amano shrimp live?
To avoid any premature deaths, it’s best to have an already established tank with a stable temperature and pH. Amano shrimp live best with the following water conditions: Water Temperature: 72 – 78 F pH: 7.2 – 7.5 Appearance Amano shrimp can come in various shades of green or brown, but they are usually light grey.
Do Amano shrimp eat fish?
In nature, Amano shrimp are omnivorous. They will scavenge dead and decaying matter from plants and animals, as well as debris building up in their underwater environment. This makes them excellent additions to your tank, like a natural cleaning crew. If a fish dies in your tank, the shrimp will even help clean up its carcass.
Are Amano shrimp good for freshwater?
Amano shrimp are one of the most popular freshwater shrimps around. It’s hard to find someone with a freshwater tank who hasn’t at least considered adding them to their aquarium at one point. They’re hardy, peaceful, and jump at the opportunity to scarf down any algae that’s in your tank. Amano shrimp are also a lot of fun to watch.