Skip to content
Goldie

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata · family Atyidae

Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) — aquarium shrimp
Wikipedia / Various contributors / CC BY-SA

Parameters

Temperature
18–28 °C
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
6–14 °dGH
Tank volume
from 40 L
Maximum size
up to 5 cm
Group size
min 3, ideal 6
Temperament
Peaceful
Difficulty
Beginner
Lifespan
2–3 years

Pros and cons

  • The best aquarium 'algae buster' — eats hair algae, green spot, leftover food
  • Larger than cherry shrimp — less likely to be preyed on
  • Doesn't crossbreed with color lines — safe to keep alongside Neocaridina
  • Lives up to 3 years
  • Doesn't breed in freshwater (larvae need brackish/saltwater)
  • More expensive than cherry shrimp
  • Under heavy underfeeding may eat delicate plants (moss, riccia)
  • Translucent body looks less decorative to some keepers

Description

Made famous by Takashi Amano as the best aquarium 'algae cleaner'. Larger than cherry shrimp (up to 5 cm), greyish-translucent with dotted lateral lines. Unlike Neocaridina, it doesn't breed in fresh water — larvae need brackish.

FAQ

Can Amano shrimp be kept with colored Neocaridina?
Yes — they don't crossbreed. They are often kept together on purpose: Amano for algae control, Neocaridina for color and breeding.
Goldie editorial team — collective profile photo
AuthorGoldie Editorial

Goldie editorial team

Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication

Goldie Science Board — collective scientific review panel
Reviewed byGoldie Science Board

Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians

Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Caridina multidentata · Wikipedia · 2026-05-22