Amano Shrimp Next To Cherry Shrimp – Your Ultimate Compatibility Guide

Written ByHoward Parker

Have you ever looked at your aquarium and thought something was missing? You love the vibrant splash of red from your Cherry Shrimp, but that stubborn algae just won’t quit. You’ve heard whispers about the legendary algae-eating power of Amano Shrimp, but a nagging question stops you: can you actually keep amano shrimp next to cherry shrimp without chaos erupting?

It’s a common worry for aquarists who want to create a diverse and functional “cleanup crew.” The thought of a larger, more boisterous shrimp bullying your colorful Cherries is enough to give anyone pause. You desire a tank that is not only beautiful but also a balanced, peaceful ecosystem where every inhabitant thrives.

Imagine your aquarium sparkling clean, with bright red Cherries peacefully grazing alongside larger, translucent Amanos that are diligently scrubbing every surface. It’s not just possible—it’s a fantastic combination that can take your tank to the next level.

Don’t worry, we’re here to show you how. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from setup and feeding to troubleshooting common issues. Let’s dive in and build your perfect shrimp team!

Meet the Cleanup Crew: A Tale of Two Shrimp

Before we mix them, let’s get to know our contenders. Understanding their individual personalities and needs is the first step in creating a harmonious tank. Think of them as two different specialists hired for the same job: keeping your aquarium pristine.

The Colorful Gem: Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Cherry Shrimp are the darlings of the nano tank world, and for good reason! These little critters are like living jewels, adding a pop of brilliant red (or yellow, blue, or green!) to any aquascape. They are small, typically reaching about 1 inch in length.

Their primary role is as delicate grazers. They spend their days meticulously picking at biofilm, leftover fish food, and soft, easy-to-eat algae. Best of all? They breed readily in home aquariums, so a small starting colony can quickly turn into a bustling, multi-generational community. They are peaceful, a bit shy, and perfect for beginners.

The Algae Powerhouse: Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

Enter the Amano Shrimp, the undisputed champion of algae eaters. Named after the legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano, who popularized their use, these shrimp are larger, growing up to 2 inches. They are voracious and relentless, tackling tougher algae that Cherries often ignore, like Black Beard Algae (BBA) and hair algae.

Amanos are more translucent with a pattern of dots and dashes along their bodies. Unlike Cherries, they are known for their bold, sometimes greedy, personalities, especially at feeding time. A key difference is their breeding: they cannot reproduce in freshwater aquariums, as their larvae require brackish or saltwater to develop. This means the number you add is the number you’ll have.

The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Amano Shrimp Next to Cherry Shrimp

So, the big question: can they live together? The answer is a resounding YES! Keeping amano shrimp next to cherry shrimp is one of the most popular and effective combinations in the hobby. They occupy slightly different niches in the cleanup crew and generally ignore each other.

However, success depends on understanding their dynamic. The Amano’s larger size and bolder nature mean you need to set up your tank thoughtfully to ensure your smaller, more timid Cherries feel safe and secure.

Think of it like having a playful Labrador in a house with a cat. They can be the best of friends, but you need to make sure the cat has a high perch to escape to when the dog gets a little too rowdy. The same principle applies here!

Benefits of Keeping Amano Shrimp and Cherry Shrimp Together

Pairing these two species isn’t just about compatibility; it’s about synergy. This is one of the biggest benefits of amano shrimp next to cherry shrimp. Together, they form a far more effective and interesting cleanup crew than either could alone.

Unmatched Algae Control

This is the number one reason to combine them. They are the perfect one-two punch against algae.

  • Cherry Shrimp: They are masters of maintenance, constantly grazing on the soft biofilm and light dust algae that forms on leaves and glass.
  • Amano Shrimp: They are the heavy-duty specialists, called in to tackle the stubborn stuff. They will relentlessly pick at hair algae, string algae, and even the dreaded Black Beard Algae.

A More Dynamic and Active Tank

The difference in size and behavior adds a wonderful layer of activity to your aquarium. You’ll see the tiny, colorful Cherries exploring delicate plant leaves while the larger Amanos confidently patrol the substrate and hardscape. It makes the tank feel more alive and natural.

Increased Biofilm and Detritus Removal

More shrimp means more mouths grazing on the invisible layer of bacteria and microorganisms known as biofilm. They also work together to break down decaying plant matter and uneaten food before it can foul the water, contributing to a healthier and more stable ecosystem.

Setting Up Your Tank for Success: Best Practices

A proper setup is crucial. This amano shrimp next to cherry shrimp care guide is built on the foundation of a well-planned environment where both species can feel secure. Here are the best practices to follow.

Ideal Tank Size and Parameters

While you can keep Cherries in a 5-gallon tank, we recommend a minimum of 10 gallons when adding Amanos. This provides enough space for everyone to have their own territory and reduces competition for food.

Luckily, their water parameter needs overlap almost perfectly:

  • Temperature: 72-78°F (22-25°C)
  • pH: 6.5 – 7.5
  • GH (General Hardness): 6-8 dGH
  • KH (Carbonate Hardness): 2-4 dKH

The most important thing is stability. Shrimp are sensitive to sudden changes, so use a reliable heater and perform small, regular water changes.

The Importance of Hiding Spots

This is non-negotiable! A heavily planted tank is the secret to success. Dense clumps of plants like Java Moss, Guppy Grass, or Hornwort provide essential cover. This is especially critical for:

  1. Molting Shrimp: After shedding their exoskeleton, shrimp are soft and vulnerable. Hiding spots give them a safe place to harden up.
  2. Baby Shrimp (Shrimplets): Cherry Shrimp babies are minuscule. A lush environment gives them countless places to hide from everyone, including hungry Amanos, until they are large enough to fend for themselves.

Adding cholla wood, shrimp caves, and leaf litter also provides more surface area for biofilm to grow and more nooks and crannies for your Cherries to feel secure.

Feeding a Mixed Shrimp Colony

Amanos are notoriously enthusiastic eaters. They are fast, strong, and can easily snatch an entire algae wafer and run off with it. To ensure your Cherries get their fair share, you’ll need a smart feeding strategy.

  • Spread the Food Out: Instead of dropping one large pellet or wafer in, crush it up and sprinkle it across different areas of the tank. This forces the Amanos to forage rather than guard a single spot.
  • Use a Feeding Dish: A small glass petri dish can help contain the food and allows you to observe who is eating. It also makes cleanup easier.
  • Offer a Varied Diet: Provide a mix of high-quality shrimp pellets, powdered foods (great for shrimplets), algae wafers, and blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach.

Common Problems with Amano Shrimp Next to Cherry Shrimp (and How to Solve Them!)

Even in the best setups, you might encounter a few hiccups. Don’t panic! Here are some common problems with amano shrimp next to cherry shrimp and their simple solutions.

Problem: My Amano Shrimp are Stealing All the Food!

This is the most frequent issue. As mentioned, Amanos are food-aggressive. It’s not malice; it’s just their nature. The key is to outsmart them. Use the feeding strategies above—spreading food out is the most effective trick. You can also try feeding a small amount on one side of the tank to distract the Amanos, then adding food for the Cherries on the other side.

Problem: My Cherry Shrimp are Hiding All the Time.

If you’ve just added Amanos, your Cherries might be a bit spooked by their new, larger tank mates. This is usually temporary. Give them a week or two to adjust. If they continue to hide, it’s a sign they don’t feel secure. The solution? Add more cover! More moss, more plants, and more hardscape will almost always solve this issue by breaking lines of sight and providing safe zones.

Problem: Are My Amanos Eating My Baby Cherry Shrimp?

This is a huge fear for many keepers. The truth is, a healthy baby Cherry Shrimp is incredibly fast and agile. A lumbering Amano has almost no chance of catching one. However, an Amano is an opportunistic scavenger. It will eat a shrimplet that is already dead, dying, or very weak. This is simply nature’s way of cleaning up.

A well-planted tank with tons of moss is the ultimate defense. It provides more than enough cover for the vast majority of shrimplets to grow to a safe size without issue.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Shrimp Keeping

Part of being a great aquarist is being a responsible one. Practicing sustainable amano shrimp next to cherry shrimp keeping is easy and rewarding. By creating a balanced tank, you’re building a tiny, self-sufficient ecosystem.

Choose captive-bred shrimp whenever possible. For Cherry Shrimp, this is the standard, but it’s worth seeking out reputable breeders. This reduces the pressure on wild populations and ensures you get healthier, more acclimated animals.

Embracing the eco-friendly amano shrimp next to cherry shrimp philosophy means letting them do their job! By keeping a robust cleanup crew, you can avoid using chemical algaecides, which can harm your shrimp and the environment. Live plants act as natural filters, and a stable tank requires less intervention, saving water and energy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amano and Cherry Shrimp

Will Amano shrimp interbreed with Cherry shrimp?

Absolutely not. They are from two completely different genera (Caridina vs. Neocaridina). It is biologically impossible for them to interbreed. Your Cherry Shrimp colony will remain pure.

How many Amano and Cherry shrimp should I keep together?

A good starting point is 1 Amano Shrimp per 5 gallons of water. For Cherry Shrimp, you can start with a colony of 10-20 in a 10-gallon tank, and they will reproduce to a population that the tank can sustain. Don’t overstock the Amanos, as they have a higher bioload than Cherries.

Can I keep other fish with my Amano and Cherry shrimp?

Yes, but you must choose your fish very carefully! Only select small, peaceful fish that are known to be “shrimp-safe.” Great options include Otocinclus Catfish, Celestial Pearl Danios, Ember Tetras, and small Corydoras species. Avoid any fish with a mouth big enough to eat a shrimp, like Bettas, Angelfish, or most Cichlids.

Do Amano shrimp need a different diet than Cherry shrimp?

While their diets largely overlap, Amanos benefit from a bit more protein and are more focused on algae. Cherries are primarily biofilm grazers. Ensure you provide a balanced diet that includes both vegetable-based foods (like algae wafers and blanched greens) and a good quality shrimp pellet that contains a mix of protein and minerals to support healthy molting for both species.

Your Thriving Shrimp Tank Awaits

There you have it! The complete amano shrimp next to cherry shrimp guide to creating a peaceful and productive partnership. By understanding their unique behaviors and providing the right environment, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the vibrant color of Cherry Shrimp and the unmatched cleaning power of Amano Shrimp.

They are not just compatible; they are complementary. They are a dynamic duo that will work together to keep your aquarium healthy, clean, and endlessly fascinating to watch.

So go ahead and build that dream team. With a well-planted tank and a little care, you’ll soon have a bustling, beautiful aquarium that is a testament to a perfectly balanced ecosystem. Happy shrimping!

Howard Parker
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