Amano Shrimp Vs Blue Shrimp – A Complete Guide To Choosing Your
You’ve spent hours aquascaping your tank. The plants are pearling, the fish are happy, and the lighting is just right. But then you spot it—that faint green haze on the glass, a stubborn bit of fuzz on your beautiful driftwood. It’s algae, the unwelcome guest in every aquarium.
You know that a dedicated cleanup crew is the answer, but a trip to the local fish store presents a classic dilemma. In one tank, you see the tireless, translucent Amano shrimp, known as legendary algae-eaters. In another, the dazzling Blue Dream shrimp catch your eye, promising a vibrant splash of sapphire color.
Imagine a crystal-clear tank where your shrimp not only polish every surface but also become a stunning feature in their own right. Making the right choice means less maintenance for you and a healthier, more beautiful aquarium for everyone to enjoy. But which one is truly right for your setup?
Don’t worry—we’re here to help. In this complete guide, we’ll dive deep into the ultimate amano shrimp vs blue shrimp showdown, giving you all the information you need to pick the perfect invertebrate partner for your aquatic paradise.
Meet the Contenders: A Tale of Two Shrimp
Before we pit them against each other, let’s get properly acquainted with our two challengers. While they’re both called “shrimp,” they come from completely different branches of the shrimp family tree, which accounts for their unique needs and behaviors.
The Algae-Eating Powerhouse: Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
Named after the legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano, who popularized their use, Amano shrimp are the undisputed champions of algae control. They are larger, more robust, and have a relentless appetite for almost all types of common aquarium algae.
These shrimp are translucent with a pattern of small, dark dots or dashes along their bodies. They’re not bred for color but for function. Think of them as the highly effective, no-nonsense janitorial staff for your aquarium. They are always busy, constantly picking at surfaces, and their larger size makes them a bit more “fish-proof” than their smaller cousins.
The Colorful Gem: Blue Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Blue shrimp, often sold as Blue Dream or Blue Velvet shrimp, are a selectively bred color morph of the wild Neocaridina davidi. They belong to a family of dwarf shrimp that are famous for their brilliant colors, including the popular Red Cherry Shrimp.
Their primary role in an aquarium is often ornamental. A colony of these stunning blue jewels moving through a lush green aquascape is a breathtaking sight. While they do eat some soft algae and biofilm, their cleaning power doesn’t compare to the Amano. They are smaller, more delicate, and breed readily in the home aquarium, allowing you to grow a vibrant colony from just a small starting group.
Amano Shrimp vs Blue Shrimp: The Ultimate Showdown
Now for the main event! Let’s compare these two fantastic shrimp across the categories that matter most to you as an aquarist. This section is your core amano shrimp vs blue shrimp guide to making a final decision.
Algae-Eating Ability: Who Cleans Better?
This is the most common reason aquarists seek out shrimp, and there’s a clear winner here.
Amano Shrimp: Hands down, the Amano shrimp is the superior algae eater. Their appetite is legendary. They will devour hair algae, black beard algae (BBA) when it’s young, string algae, and biofilm. If your primary goal is to combat a stubborn algae problem, the Amano is your best bet. They are relentless workers.
Blue Shrimp: Blue shrimp are more like grazers. They will happily pick at soft green algae, diatoms (brown algae), and biofilm all day long. However, they won’t make a dent in tougher algae like BBA or hair algae. They are part of a healthy tank’s ecosystem, not a solution to an existing algae outbreak.
Winner: Amano Shrimp
Appearance & Size: The Visual Impact
Function is one thing, but how will they look in your tank?
Amano Shrimp: Amanos grow much larger, reaching up to 2 inches (5 cm). Their clear, spotted bodies are designed for camouflage, not for show. While fascinating to watch, they won’t add a “pop” of color. They blend in, which can be a pro or a con depending on your goals.
Blue Shrimp: These guys are all about color. A high-grade Blue Dream shrimp is a solid, deep sapphire blue. They stay much smaller, maxing out at around 1 inch (2.5 cm). A colony of them creates a stunning visual contrast against green plants and dark substrate. They are a living decoration.
Winner: Blue Shrimp
Temperament & Tank Mates: Who Plays Nicer?
Both shrimp are peaceful, but their size differences affect their compatibility with fish.
Amano Shrimp: Their larger size makes them more confident and less likely to be seen as a snack by small to medium-sized community fish. They can hold their own against fish like tetras, rasboras, and even a peaceful Betta (with supervision). They can be a bit boisterous during feeding time, sometimes snatching food from smaller shrimp or fish.
Blue Shrimp: Their small size, especially the babies (shrimplets), makes them extremely vulnerable. Any fish with a mouth large enough to fit a shrimp will likely eat them. They are best kept in a shrimp-only tank or with very small, peaceful nano fish like Otocinclus catfish or Chili Rasboras.
Winner: Amano Shrimp (for community tank compatibility)
Water Parameters & Hardiness: Forgiving vs. Finicky
This is a critical consideration. Your tank’s water chemistry may choose for you!
Amano Shrimp: These shrimp are incredibly hardy. They tolerate a wider range of water parameters, from slightly soft to hard water, and a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. They are more forgiving of the small fluctuations that can happen in a newer aquarium, making them a great choice for beginners.
Blue Shrimp: As a Neocaridina species, they are also quite hardy but prefer more stable conditions. They thrive in slightly harder, more alkaline water (pH 7.0-8.0) with some minerals (GH and KH) to help with their shell development during molting. They are more sensitive to sudden changes in water parameters than Amanos.
Winner: Amano Shrimp
Breeding & Colony Growth: A Key Difference
Do you want a small, stable crew or a thriving, self-sustaining colony? Your answer to this question is one of the most important factors in the amano shrimp vs blue shrimp debate.
Amano Shrimp: The Breeding Challenge
You will see female Amano shrimp carrying eggs, but you will almost certainly never see baby Amanos in your freshwater tank. Their breeding cycle is incredibly complex. The larvae need to hatch in freshwater and then be swept out to brackish or full saltwater to develop before migrating back to freshwater.
Replicating this process at home is extremely difficult and reserved for expert breeders. The Amano shrimp you buy will be the only ones you have unless you purchase more.
Blue Shrimp: The Prolific Breeders
Blue shrimp, on the other hand, are the exact opposite. If you have happy, healthy males and females in a stable tank, they will breed constantly. The females carry the bright yellow eggs under their tails until tiny, fully-formed shrimplets hatch directly into the freshwater environment.
Watching your colony grow from 10 shrimp to 100 is one of the most rewarding experiences in the hobby. It’s also one of the key benefits of amano shrimp vs blue shrimp for those looking to create a self-sustaining population.
Your Tank’s Needs: How to Choose the Right Shrimp for You
Okay, let’s bring it all together. This is your practical “how to amano shrimp vs blue shrimp” checklist. Consider your primary goal for getting shrimp in the first place.
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Choose Amano Shrimp If…
- Your number one goal is powerful, effective algae control.
- You have a community tank with small-to-medium sized fish.
- You don’t want to be overrun with hundreds of shrimp.
- You are a beginner looking for a very hardy, forgiving invertebrate.
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Choose Blue Shrimp If…
- You want to add a stunning splash of vibrant color to your tank.
- You have a shrimp-only tank or only very small, peaceful nano fish.
- You are excited by the idea of breeding and growing a colony.
- Your primary goal is aesthetic, with light grazing as a secondary benefit.
Can You Keep Them Together? A Word of Caution.
Yes, you can keep Amano and Blue shrimp in the same tank. They are peaceful towards each other. However, be aware that the larger, more boisterous Amanos can outcompete the smaller Blues for food. To make it work, ensure there is plenty of food available (like biofilm on surfaces) and provide powdered or micro-pellet foods that spread throughout the tank so everyone gets a share.
Common Problems with Amano Shrimp vs Blue Shrimp (And How to Solve Them)
Even the hardiest creatures can face challenges. Here are a few common problems with amano shrimp vs blue shrimp and how you can apply best practices to fix them.
Molting Issues & The Dreaded “White Ring of Death”
This happens when a shrimp fails to molt its old exoskeleton. It’s often caused by incorrect water parameters, specifically GH (General Hardness), which provides the calcium and magnesium they need. Ensure your GH is within the recommended range for your chosen species, especially for Neocaridina like Blue shrimp.
Disappearing Shrimp: Where Did They Go?
Shrimp are masters of hiding, especially after molting when they are vulnerable. But if they vanish permanently, the culprit is often a fish you thought was peaceful. Even a “friendly” Betta or Gourami can’t resist a tasty shrimplet. If you’re losing Blue shrimp, your tank mates are the first suspects.
Fading Color in Blue Shrimp
If your Blue shrimp look pale, it can be due to stress from poor water quality, incorrect parameters, or a light-colored substrate. They often show their best colors on a dark substrate where they feel more secure. Diet also plays a role; feeding a quality shrimp food with color-enhancing ingredients like astaxanthin can help.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Shrimp Keeping: Best Practices
Being a responsible aquarist means thinking about the health of our planet, too. This is a crucial part of our amano shrimp vs blue shrimp care guide.
Sourcing Your Shrimp Responsibly
Amanos are primarily wild-caught, which can have an environmental impact. Look for suppliers who prioritize sustainable collection methods. Blue shrimp, on the other hand, are almost exclusively captive-bred. Purchasing from a local hobbyist or a reputable breeder is a fantastic, eco-friendly amano shrimp vs blue shrimp choice that supports the community and reduces the stress of shipping.
Creating a Self-Sustaining Ecosystem
The most sustainable aquarium is a balanced one. Heavily planted tanks provide natural food sources (biofilm and algae) and cover for shrimp, reducing the need for commercial foods and creating a safe haven for breeding. This is where the benefits of amano shrimp vs blue shrimp truly shine in their respective roles—one as a cleaner, the other as a permanent, beautiful resident.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amano Shrimp vs Blue Shrimp
Which shrimp is better for beginners?
Both are great beginner options, but for different reasons. Amano shrimp are more forgiving of water parameter fluctuations, making them mechanically easier to keep alive. Blue shrimp are easy because they breed so readily, allowing a beginner to experience the joy of starting a colony with minimal effort, provided the tank is stable.
Do Amano shrimp eat Blue shrimp?
No, Amano shrimp are not predatory and will not hunt healthy Blue shrimp. They are scavengers. However, they will eat a dead or dying shrimp of any kind. The only real conflict is competition for food, where the larger Amanos have an advantage.
How many shrimp should I get for my tank?
For Amanos, a good starting point is 1 shrimp per 5 gallons to tackle algae. For Blue shrimp, a starting colony of 10-20 is ideal to ensure you have both males and females. Since they have a very low bioload (waste they produce), you can keep many in a small tank.
Can Amano and Blue shrimp eat the same food?
Yes! Both will happily eat high-quality shrimp pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables (like zucchini or spinach), and biofilm. The key is to ensure the food is accessible to everyone in the tank.
The Final Verdict: A Shrimp for Every Purpose
So, who wins the great amano shrimp vs blue shrimp debate? The truth is, they both do. The “best” shrimp is simply the one that best fits your goals.
If you’re declaring war on algae and need a tough, reliable, and effective cleaning crew for your community tank, the Amano shrimp is your undisputed champion. They are the functional, hardworking backbone of many pristine aquascapes.
If you’re looking to add a splash of living art to your aquarium, create a beautiful and self-sustaining colony, and enjoy the simple pleasure of watching tiny jewels graze amongst your plants, then the Blue shrimp is your perfect match.
Now that you’re armed with this complete guide, you can look at those tanks in the store with confidence. You know their strengths, their needs, and exactly how they’ll fit into your slice of the aquatic world. Go forth and choose your perfect shrimp team!
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