can amano shrimp live with cherry shrimp

Can Amano Shrimp Live With Cherry Shrimp? A Complete Care Guide

Cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp are two of the most popular freshwater shrimp species kept in home aquariums. Their small size, ease of care, and interesting behaviors make them a joy to observe

As a shrimp enthusiast, you may be wondering if these two species can coexist peacefully. The good news is that with proper precautions, Amano and Cherry shrimp can live together in the same tank. In this comprehensive care guide, I’ll share tips on mixing these shrimp, managing their different behaviors, and creating an ideal habitat for both species to thrive.

An Overview on Amano and Cherry Shrimp

Let’s start with a quick rundown on the defining traits of Amano versus Cherry shrimp:

• Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are larger, growing up to 2 inches. They have a translucent body with grayish dots and lines on their backs. Known for their legendary algae eating abilities, Amanos are hardy shrimp that can adapt to a wide range of water parameters.

• Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are much smaller, maxing out at around 1 inch size. As their name implies, they have a bright red coloration ranging from pink to deep red. Cherries are prolific breeders in freshwater and make an excellent starter shrimp.

Both species do well in similar conditions, preferring slightly acidic, moderately hard water with stable parameters. The ideal temperature range overlaps between 70-80 F. They are generally peaceful but Amanos can get pushy around food due to their larger appetite and size.

Issues with Keeping Amano and Cherry Shrimp Together

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s discuss two potential issues when keeping Amano and Cherry shrimp together:

1. Crossbreeding – The good news is Amano and Cherry shrimp cannot interbreed due to being from different genus. But if you plan to breed either species, keeping them together can cause unintended hybridization.

2. Aggression – Amanos are larger and can get aggressive, especially during feeding time. They may bully, outcompete or potentially prey on juvenile Cherry shrimp.

As long as you follow the tips below on setup, tank size, diet and monitoring, Amanos and Cherries can coexist without much problems. Being prepared for their differences in behavior is key.

Ideal Tank Conditions for Amano and Cherry Shrimp

Here are the ideal water parameters and tank setups for keeping Amano and Cherry shrimp together:

• Tank Size – Aim for at least 10 gallons. A larger tank provides more territory and improves the chances of peaceful coexistence.

• Water Parameters – Both species do well in slightly acidic water with a pH between 6.5 to 7.5. The temperature range should be 70-80F and hardness between 4-8 KH. Perform regular water changes to keep nitrates under 20 ppm.

• Plants and Decor – Have plenty of hiding spots including plants like moss, driftwood and rock caves. The decor helps shy species like Cherries feel secure.

• Substrate – Use a fine substrate like sand or bare-bottom. Larger gravel can trap fallen food that fouls water over time.

• Filtration – Use a gentle filter or sponge filter to avoid sucking up shrimp. Moderate water flow also helps distribute food around.

• Diet – Feed a high quality omnivore shrimp pellet or wafer. Offer vegetables like blanched spinach or zucchini along with calcium-rich foods.

• Tank Mates – Avoid housing shrimp with fish that may prey on them. Good tank mates include snails, African Dwarf Frogs and small peaceful community fish.

Managing Feeding Behaviors

The number one trigger for aggression between Amano and Cherry shrimp is competition for food. Amanos tend to be gluttonous and will readily gobble up more than their fair share.

Here are some feeding tips to curb aggression:

• Feed smaller amounts but more frequently. This prevents a frenzied feeding scenario.

• Provide food in different sections of the tank to disperse the shrimp. Use feeding dishes to control portions.

• Offer blanched veggies like zucchini or cucumber weighted down for grazing. This caters to the Cherries’ natural grazing habits.

• Supplement with biofilm boosters and calcium-rich foods like spinach to support moulting and breeding.

• Monitor to see if any shrimp show signs of starvation. Isolate bullied individuals until aggression subsides.

Outside of feeding time, these shrimp will usually ignore each other or forage peacefully together. The key is preventing excessive competition for food.

Breeding Habits of Amano vs Cherry Shrimp

Another factor to consider is that Amano and Cherry shrimp have vastly different breeding needs:

• Cherry shrimp readily breed in freshwater. In fact, they can overpopulate a tank quickly! Gravid females are easily identified by their green “saddle”.

• Breeding Amano shrimp is complex since larvae require brackish water to mature. Intentional breeding involves moving larvae into a separate brackish nursery tank.

If your goal is to breed either species, keeping them together can complicate things. For example, the proliferating Cherry population may overtax tank resources needed for Amano breeding success.

Isolating them into species only tanks is best for controlled breeding projects. For general community purposes, you can manage their coexistence in a shared tank with the other tips provided.

In Conclusion: Enjoy Your Mixed Shrimp Tank!

To recap, here are the keys to keeping Amano and Cherry shrimp harmoniously:

• Provide a spacious tank of 10+ gallons with lots of hiding spots and gentle filtration.

• Maintain high water quality and stable parameters suited for both species.

• Manage their feeding behaviors by offering small amounts of food often.

• Understand their different breeding requirements if interested in shrimp breeding.

• Monitor for aggression, isolating bullied shrimp if needed.

While it does require some extra planning, the result is a diverse shrimp community that’s fascinating to observe. The two shrimp complement each other nicely – with Cherry shrimp adding pops of color while Amanos take care of algae control.

Have you kept Amano and Cherry shrimp together successfully? Share your experiences in the comments! I’m always looking to learn new shrimp care tips from fellow aquarists.