▷ Amano shrimp in the aquarium | All information and details

Appearance and characteristics of the Amano shrimp

Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 2.5 Author: Richard Bartz

Caridina multidentatabetter known as Amano shrimp or Amano for short, belong to the primitive reproductive type.

The eggs are relatively small and the larvae can only develop in sea water.

The «real” amano shrimp one recognizes, opposite the “fake“, on the longer rostrum (nose).

Adult Amano shrimp are easily recognizable due to their size, the distinctive dot-dash pattern, the small eggs on the swimming legs of pregnant females and some of the bluish body colour.

In addition to the relevant specialist literature, a good microscope and basic knowledge of shrimp anatomy are required for an exact determination of the species.

Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 2.5 Author: Richard Bartz

How such a determination can look like can be seen using the example of a dorsal shrimp.

Not all Amano shrimp are colored the same way.

These differences can be observed most clearly immediately before and after moulting.

Depending on nutritional status, age, general well-being, etc., the coloring varies.

Where the name Amano shrimp came from

The animals are called Amano shrimp because Takashi Amano used them frequently in his natural aquariums.

gender differences

female amano shrimp
Photo: Norbert Heidbüchel

male amano shrimp
Photo: Norbert Heidbüchel

In males, the lower row of dots consists of distinct and relatively clear dots.

In females, the lower row of dots consists of merging and not clearly recognizable dots. In addition, the females are considerably larger than the males.

Behaviors of Amano shrimp

Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: public domain Author: Tsunamicarlo

Amano shrimp are sociable animals, they graze the substrate, plant leaves, etc. together.

Compared to other shrimp species, they are less fearful. They even easily run over the hands etc. of the carer.

The males swim wildly through the tank as soon as the female spreads her pheromones and thus shows her receptiveness.

Husbandry of the Amano shrimp

Photo: Norbert Heidbüchel

One should always keep several animals of this species. At least 5 animals are recommended.

The Amaono shrimp can be socialized with all peaceful fish, catfish, etc..

Before socializing, water values, temperature, etc. must be considered.

You have to offer them suitable and numerous hiding places so that they can withdraw if, for example, fish become too intrusive.

Are larger animals in the aquarium, e.g. B. angelfish, Amano shrimp like to hide under plants, roots, stones or other decorative objects, so that they are almost untraceable.

They sometimes reside in appropriately sized tubes that are open at both ends. They rarely go into caves.

Food for Amano shrimp

Photo: Claudia

In a well-planted aquarium, where not every dead leaf is removed immediately and where fish are fed, Amano shrimp usually do not need special feeding. The Amanos get their share of the food. Amanos are omnivores. Anything they can get their hands on is eaten.

Amano shrimp eat algae. Algae should not be considered a nuisance in an aquarium with Amano shrimp. Algae actually belong to the biotope that aquarium owners strive for. An aquarium is not an operating theater or clean room. However, they do not eat every type of algae. Apparently they have their own taste from animal to animal. Sometimes a certain type of algae is eaten and sometimes not, depending on taste. If not available, you should offer them seaweed from time to time. These come in pill form, etc.

Often they even prefer offered food. The more normal food they get, the less algae they eat. They don’t shy away from snatching the food from other residents in the aquarium.

Amanos do not eat plants. They only eat the leaves of the plants when they are already dying. But they also pluck in places where no algae can be seen with the naked eye. Presumably they eat microscopic algae coatings or microorganisms.

Amano shrimp Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: Przemys?aw Malkowski

Amano shrimp can be seen quite well whether additional feeding is required.

Because the animals are quite transparent, you can clearly see the intestines.

The gut is the dark line just under the back that runs almost to the tail fan.

If the intestine is completely full, no additional feeding is necessary.

If there are gaps in the brown intestinal tract, additional feeding is required.

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Amano shrimp Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: sannse

Tablet food has the advantage that it sinks to the bottom and can be easily eaten there by the Amanos.

Frozen food for shrimp can be made from shredded vegetables, very little fish meat and agar agar yourself. Agar Agar is an algae-based gelling agent. The food freezes well in ice cube molds and, with the right amount of agar agar, retains its firmness even under water.

So that all shrimp get some of the food, it can be distributed in the aquarium. Spirulina tablets can also be divided if a fine and sharp knife is at hand.

Amano Shrimp:

Optimal water parameters for Caridina multidentata

When it comes to water conditions, they are quite undemanding.

Suitable water values:

Amano shrimp Photo: Stefanie Prinz

Nitrate and nitrite should be kept in mind, but ammonia plays an even bigger role! Nitrogen in the water is poison for Amanos. You then get a kind of joint stiffness, like a knight in rusty armor. Unfortunately, that’s not as fun as it sounds, but deadly. When the animals turn milky white, there is no chance.

Amano shrimp are sensitive to heavy metals, especially copper. Therefore, caution is required when administering medication in community tanks.
Fertilizer wool or lead rings from plants should be removed.

Like all shrimp, Amano shrimp seem to depend on a certain minimum level of iodine in the water, otherwise there are difficulties in moulting. However, Germany is a designated iodine deficiency area. In the case of molting problems, adding iodine can be useful.

Insert and transfer Amano shrimp

According to some data, Caridina multidentata can tolerate high levels of nitrite and nitrate. Takashi Amano uses them to prevent algae from starting in the first few days in newly set up aquariums, e.g. B. is described in the book «Your Hobby Nature Aquarium» by Takashi Amano from Bede-Verlag.

Because algae plagues rarely occur during the start-up phase of an aquarium, you can definitely wait until the aquarium has started before introducing the Amano shrimp.

Like fish, Amano shrimp should be transplanted slowly. For example, you can run water from the aquarium through a throttled air hose to the shrimp. When about 3/4 of the water is aquarium water, most of the water in the shrimp is poured off so that no foreign water gets into the aquarium. Then the shrimp are added.

Amano shrimp can escape from the aquarium

Photo: Norbert Heidbüchel

It is often reported that Amanos climb out of the aquarium.

They also climb smooth objects. They probably only flee while they are new to the aquarium. Once they have settled in, they usually no longer crawl out of the aquarium.

Of course you are on the safe side with a sealed aquarium. For example, fly screens, strawberry protection screens or similar can be stretched over the aquarium for the transitional period.

Propagating Amano shrimp

Adult amano shrimp live in fresh water. The larvae need salt water to develop. In nature, the shrimp release the eggs in fresh water. The larvae hatch immediately and are carried towards the sea by the current. The larvae grow up in the sea and go through different stages. When they reach the shrimp stage, after some time they migrate upstream.

pairing

Skin of an Amano shrimp Photo: Stefanie Prinz

Amano shrimp mate every four to six weeks.

Mating usually occurs shortly after a female molts. Females ready to mate release attractants into the water.

The males swim back and forth, sometimes for hours without a break, pursuing females who are ready to mate.

A male keeps sneaking up on the somewhat larger and stronger female from behind. The male easily fends this off and turns slightly so that the male cannot grab it from behind.

After several attempts, however, it succeeds. The male grabs the female from behind and holds her tight. Strong movements of the male’s rear webbed feet can be seen. It lasts a few seconds, then the male lets go. A few days after mating, the mate-ready female visibly carries eggs.

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The pairing:

Males besiege a female:

Females with eggs:

pregnant females

Amano shrimp with eggs Enlargement Photo: Norbert Heidbüchel

The eggs stick between the webbed feet, under the abdomen and are clearly recognizable as eggs.

The shrimp constantly moves the egg packets to bring in fresh water.

The female often bends over and appears to be working the eggs with her legs.

During their development, the color of the eggs changes from dark gray or dark green to light gray to almost transparent.

There are reports that the eggs have remained dark.

Other reports write of initially pink eggs that become darker and darker.

Amano shrimp (female) Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: Katarzyna Motyka

Depending on the temperature, the females carry four weeks. However, the larvae are sometimes released after as little as two weeks. Sometimes the females release all the eggs within a few hours.

Sometimes egg delivery lasts a week. Egg release may be stimulated by water changes with cool water.

The larvae are extremely tiny, swim upside down and look like little parachutes. The larvae swim towards the light. The larvae can easily be mistaken for hoppers, which usually sit on the panes.

Pregnant Amano Shrimp:

Larval stages in Amano shrimp

Larva of Caridina multidentata Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: public domain Author: Rchampagne

Amano larvae…