Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) Care Guide

06 November 2026

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Amano shrimp, Caridina multidentata, are transparent to grayish freshwater shrimp marked with small brown or reddish spots and dashes. Also sold as Yamato shrimp, they are peaceful scavengers that graze on algae, biofilm and leftover foods. They suit mature community aquariums with stable, well-oxygenated water. Adults live in freshwater, but successful reproduction requires raising their drifting larvae in brackish water, so a self-sustaining freshwater colony is uncommon.

Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) Care Guide

Taxonomy and identification

The accepted scientific name is Caridina multidentata. Amano shrimp and Yamato shrimp are common aquarium names. The body is mostly translucent, with brown, reddish-brown or dark markings arranged as spots and short dashes along the sides. Females are generally larger and deeper-bodied than males, especially when carrying eggs. Commercial specimens can vary in intensity and pattern, and visual identification alone may not distinguish every closely related Caridina species with certainty.

Natural habitat

Caridina multidentata is associated with clear, flowing freshwater streams and rivers in Japan and nearby parts of East Asia. Adults use rocky, plant-covered or woody surfaces where they graze on biofilm and collect edible particles. In nature, reproduction involves movement between freshwater and coastal or estuarine water, which explains the species' specialized larval development.

Aquarium setup and water parameters

Use a mature, filtered aquarium with stable water quality, gentle to moderate circulation and abundant surfaces for grazing. Fine-leaved plants, moss, wood and smooth rocks provide cover and biofilm. A secure lid is useful because shrimp may climb near openings. A practical target is 18–28 °C and pH 6.5–8.0, with measurable mineral content for the exoskeleton. Ammonia and nitrite should remain at zero, nitrate should be kept low, and sudden changes in temperature, pH or mineral content should be avoided.

Feeding

Amano shrimp feed continuously on algae, biofilm, decaying plant material and fine organic particles. In a clean aquarium, natural grazing may not provide enough food, so offer small portions of shrimp or algae wafers and other appropriate sinking foods. Blanched vegetables can be used occasionally. Remove uneaten food before it decomposes. Do not rely on Amano shrimp to control severe algae growth; correcting excessive light, nutrients and maintenance is more effective.

Tank mates

They are peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive freshwater invertebrates and calm community fish. Small, peaceful fish are generally safer than large fish, fin-nippers or predators. Most fish may eat newly released larvae, and some will attack adult shrimp during or after molting. Provide dense plants, moss, wood and other refuges, particularly in mixed-species aquariums. Avoid copper-based medications and other treatments unsafe for invertebrates.

Molting and maintenance

Amano shrimp periodically shed their rigid exoskeleton to grow. They are vulnerable immediately afterward and may hide among plants or décor. Leave a shed exoskeleton in the aquarium; shrimp often consume it and recover minerals from it. Stable hardness, a balanced diet and low stress support successful molts. Perform regular, moderate water changes with temperature- and chemistry-matched water, and avoid abrupt changes. A sudden increase in deaths around molting can indicate poor water quality, inadequate minerals, contamination or excessive stress.

Breeding

Breeding in freshwater is possible, but completing the life cycle is difficult in a standard aquarium. After mating, the female carries many small eggs beneath her abdomen. The larvae hatch as free-swimming forms and require suitable brackish water, food and carefully controlled conditions. They later metamorphose into juvenile shrimp and can be acclimated to freshwater. Adults may reproduce in freshwater community tanks, but the larvae usually do not survive there, so a self-replacing colony is unlikely without a dedicated brackish rearing setup.

Shrimp info

Size: 3–5 cm
Difficulty level: Beginner-Intermediate
Temperature : 18–28 °C
pH: 6.5–8.0

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