Amano Shrimp – Caridina Multidentata: A Complete Aquarist’s Guide

Amano Shrimp an Overview:

About the Species – Amano Shrimp:

Amano Shrimp, its scientific name is Caridina multidentata. Crustaceans described in 1860 refers to this species as Caridina multidentata was previously known as Caridina Japonica.

Most people believe that Amano Shrimp come only from Japan and the surrounding islands. But they are also seen in the Ryukyu Islands, Korean swamps, Taiwan, and also in Fiji.

Takashi Amano, a track cyclist, photographer, designer, and an ardent aquarist has discovered this species ability to an immense amount of algae. He ordered several thousand of these species with a local distributor in 1982. Since then, these algae bloom control has become popular amongst the aquarists. 

He is also the founder of the Japanese company Aqua Design Amano. He has used and reared this industrious Japanese Swamp Shrimp in most of his tanks. 

Later in 2006, Japonica Shrimp was named after Takashi Amano. 

Amano Shrimp Habitat:

Amano Shrimp are native to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China. They live in freshwater, streams, and swamps.

Only the adults live in freshwater, larvae need saltwater, when they mature, they swim to freshwaters.

As far as the water parameters, they can adapt to a wide range of temperature, hardness, and acidity.

Tank Condition for Japonica Amano Shrimp:

The tank set up for Amano Shrimp is pretty simple and straightforward. They are undemanding. If they survive in the first few weeks in your tank, they will likely live a long life. 

They can remold to a wide range of water parameters: temperature range of 18 – 29°C (64 – 84°F), ideal 24°C (75°F), hardness 4 – 14 dGH, and water acidity 6 to 8 pH. As long as the water parameters are not two extremes, that will demand too much from them to adapt to your tank with the exceptions of Ammonia and Nitrite, like any other aqualife.

They are more active in the warmer temperature like any other tropical freshwater fish; however, this will shorten their lifespan as the dissolved oxygen holding capacity drops down with a higher temperature. Whereas, cooler water has a better hold on dissolved oxygen level, but could cost on their immune system.

Regardless, take good care of the CO2 level in the water as it can make the shrimp drown/suffocate to death.

They need a minimum of 10 gallons (40 liters) Tank for 5 Amanos. They should have plenty of hiding places. You can use Java Moss and Riccia fluitans, otherwise commonly known as floating crystalwort. 

You can use some shells, wooden branches, etc. to provide them more shelters. They need plenty of hiding places; you need to keep this parameter while making their habitat.

You should never bring them to a newly set up tank. Always, add them to an established tank. Algae is a must for their livelihood. A new tank will have neither algae nor leftovers.

When it comes to the substrate, mimic Japanese rivers and streams substrates. They are full of pebbles, rocks, and shells.

Filtrations System:

Typical Behaviour:

Amano Shrimps are peaceful by nature, however, when it comes down to the food they are a bit of a street fighter. They actively search for the naturally occurring food within the tank unequivocally. Generally, they follow a pecking order; the largest has the priority.

They become vulnerable just after they molt, which occurs anywhere between 5 to 6 weeks once. They go on hiding; this why they feel comfortable in a heavily planted environment.

Tankmates for Japonica Amano Shrimp:

As we already know that Amano Shrimps are peaceful species, you should choose other peaceful and small to mid-size species as their tankmates. You have plenty of options to choose from:

Cherry Shrimp, Tetras (Small tetras like neon tetra, ember tetra), Stone catfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Cory fish, Vampire Shrimp, Bamboo Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Nerite Snails, Guppies, Mystery snails, Danios, Sulawesi snails, Malaysian snails, Tiger barb, etc.

You Caridina is not safe with any aggressive invertebrate or fish.

Bettas, convict cichlids, Jack Dempsey Cichlids, Firemouth Cichlids, Angelfish, Birchir, Blue Acara, Clown loaches, Plecostomus, Oscars, Crayfish, Gourami, large Plecos, Goldfish, etc. are some of the fishes that should not be kept with Japonica Amano Shrimps.

Although Kuhli loach is a peaceful species, should not be kept with Amano Shrimp as they will have our Caridina for a snack.

Keep Amanos at least in a group of 6 to avoid any dominant behavior. As far as possible, maintain an even ratio of males and females of the species. You can also keep them along with the other Shrimps like Ghost Shrimp and Cherry Shrimp.

Amano Shrimp – Diet and Care:

Diet:

We already know that Amano Shrimp feeds on algae and the leftovers and the bottom. Their ability to clean up the tank is unsurpassed, they are the ultimate squad for cleaning your aquarium tank. 

Amanos are not stunning-looking creatures. However, we keep them for their ability to clean-up potential and not for their looks. They are relentless workers. Considering their size, Japonica Amano Shrimp is much more efficient than any other Shrimps.

Processed foods are strictly prohibited. If they get hooked to the taste of processed food, they will not do serve their purpose for which they are there in the tank.

That doesn’t mean they do not need any diet supplements from you. How many supplements all depend on the aggregates of algae and the waste present in the aquarium tank. 

They are omnivores, their diet should consist of sinking pellets, frozen foods, vegetables.

For frozen snacks, you brine shrimp and blood worms will do the trick.

zucchini, squash, cucumber, etc. can be fed to them. 

NOTE: 

• the vegetables should be blanched before feeding. Uneaten vegetables should be removed before it starts to decompose and contaminate the water.
• Like most Shrimps, should strictly avoid placing anything made of copper in the tank. It is toxic to most invertebrates. 
• Many fish foods and medicines contain copper, always read the content labels carefully.

Algae eater:

They eat most types of string algae. They also feed on brush algae and hair algae. Some of these Algae Shrimps even feed on black bear algae.

To have a combination of Amano Shrimps and Nerite Snails or Malaysian Snails will be a good method to control algae in your aquarium tank. Amanos seem to have trouble with spot algae, which the snails will take care of it. 

Breeding Amano Shrimp:

Breeding Caridina Multidentata is a tricky one. Amano Shrimp like any other shrimp breed in the freshwater. 

In the wild, the female carries fertilized eggs in her pouch under the tail for 5 to 6 weeks before releasing them into the brackish water. 

The brackish water will not hurt the adult Amano, but it will destroy the eggs/larvae. The larvae need saltwater to hatch and mature, then they move up to the freshwater. 

To avoid stress levels to the female Cardina Multidentata, the breeding should be kept in the freshwater tank until the female is nearing hatching. 

Prepare a rearing tank of about 2.5 gallons (about 10 liters) ready. When the female is nearing hatching time, move her to the rearing tank as soon as the female releases the eggs move the adult back to the original tank.

At this stage increase the salt level in the tank to about 30 to 34 parts per million (ppm) by adding sea salt. Anything above 40 ppt or any level below 25 ppm will destroy the Cardina Multidentata Larvae. 

However, the required salinity level is still contestable. 

Note: Experienced aquarists suggest, you use commercial salt meant for marine aquaria and not cooking salt to increase the salinity of the water in the rearing tank.

Breeding Amano Shrimps calls for experienced hands.