Care specifications
| Type | Shrimp |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Max size | 2 in |
| Lifespan | 2–5 years |
| Temperature | 65–78 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.8 |
| General hardness | 6–14 dGH |
| Calcium needs | Medium |
| Minimum tank size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Algae, Biofilm, Detritus, Leftover fish food, Shrimp pellets |
| Roles | Algae eater, Scavenger |
| Plant safe | Yes |
| Betta compatible | With caution |
| Breeds in freshwater | No |
| Population growth | None |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Brackish water note: Females carry eggs readily in freshwater, but the larvae must drift to saltwater to develop — raising them requires full marine salinity and is a dedicated project. In your tank, the eggs simply never become shrimp.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are my Amano shrimp ignoring the algae?
Because you are feeding them better food. Amanos are opportunists that will happily steal pellets and wafers instead of working; cut back feeding for a week and they go back to grazing. They also never touch green spot algae or established black beard algae — their specialty is soft hair and thread types.
My Amano is full of eggs — will I get babies?
No. The larvae need to develop in saltwater, so in a freshwater tank the eggs hatch into larvae that do not survive. Breeding Amanos is possible but requires a separate marine larval setup — it is a project, not an accident.
Are Amano shrimp safe with bettas and community fish?
With most community fish, yes — adults are too big to swallow. Bettas and other curious hunters may harass them, so provide cover and watch the first few days. Anything large enough to eat a two-inch shrimp (large cichlids, goldfish) should be ruled out.
Amano Shrimp appears in
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