Amano Shrimp Vs Cherry Shrimp Algae – Which Is The True Algae King?
Let’s be honest—we’ve all been there. You look at your beautiful aquarium, and instead of crystal-clear water, you see a faint green haze on the glass. Or maybe it’s those stubborn, stringy bits of hair algae clinging to your favorite plant. It’s one of the most common frustrations in our hobby, but don’t worry, you’re not alone!
What if I told you the best solution isn’t a bottle of chemicals, but a tiny, tireless, and fascinating crustacean? The debate over the ultimate clean-up crew often comes down to two champions. This is the definitive guide to amano shrimp vs cherry shrimp algae control, and I promise to help you pick the perfect shrimp for your tank.
Imagine an aquarium that practically cleans itself, where a busy crew of shrimp works around the clock to keep algae at bay. It’s totally achievable!
In this complete guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know. We’ll compare their algae-eating power, explore their specific care needs, discuss their wildly different breeding habits, and help you decide which one is the undisputed algae-eating king for your setup.
Meet the Contenders: An Introduction to Your Future Clean-Up Crew
Before we pit them against each other, let’s get properly acquainted with our two competitors. While both are fantastic additions to a freshwater tank, they come from different backgrounds and bring unique skills to the table.
The Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata): The Algae-Eating Machine
Meet the heavyweight champion of algae control. The Amano shrimp earned its fame after the legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano popularized its use in his stunning nature aquariums. You can’t miss them—they’re larger than most dwarf shrimp, growing up to 2 inches, with a translucent, greyish body covered in a neat pattern of dots and dashes.
These shrimp aren’t just big; they have an equally big appetite. Their reputation is built on being relentless algae eaters. If you have a serious algae problem, this is the shrimp that most experienced aquarists will recommend, time and time again.
The Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi): The Colorful Grazer
If the Amano is the workhorse, the Cherry shrimp is the vibrant artist. These little guys are famous for their brilliant red coloration, though they come in a whole rainbow of colors like blue, yellow, orange, and even black! They stay smaller, typically maxing out at around 1 inch.
While they are often chosen for their beauty, don’t underestimate their cleaning power. Cherry shrimp are fantastic grazers, constantly picking at surfaces, cleaning up leftover food, and munching on the softer types of algae. They are the perfect maintenance crew for a tank that is already in good shape.
The Ultimate Showdown: Amano Shrimp vs Cherry Shrimp Algae Eating Prowess
Alright, this is the main event! You’re here to find out which shrimp will solve your algae woes. The truth is, it depends entirely on what kind of algae you’re fighting. This is one of the most important amano shrimp vs cherry shrimp algae tips I can give you: match the shrimp to the algae.
What Algae Do Amano Shrimp Demolish?
Amano shrimp are the special forces of your clean-up crew. They are equipped to handle the tough stuff that other critters ignore. Their appetite is legendary for a reason.
- Hair Algae: This is where Amanos truly shine. They will tirelessly work through clumps of green hair algae, staghorn algae, and thread algae.
- Black Beard Algae (BBA): While no shrimp is a miracle cure for tough, mature BBA, Amanos are one of the few creatures that will actively eat the young, soft bits of this dreaded algae.
- Biofilm: They are voracious consumers of the invisible layer of bacteria and microorganisms (biofilm) that covers every surface in your tank.
- Soft Algae: Of course, they will also happily devour softer green and brown diatom algae.
The key takeaway is that Amanos are specialists. When you have a noticeable algae outbreak, a small team of Amano shrimp can make a visible difference in just a few days.
What Algae Do Cherry Shrimp Nibble On?
Cherry shrimp are more like generalists. Think of them as the diligent housekeepers who keep things tidy day-to-day. They are constantly active, but they prefer the softer, easier-to-eat messes.
- Soft Green Algae: They love to graze on the soft green film that grows on glass, rocks, and plant leaves.
- Brown Diatom Algae: A common sight in new aquariums, this dusty brown algae is a favorite snack for Cherry shrimp.
- Biofilm: Like Amanos, they are excellent biofilm grazers, which is a crucial part of their diet, especially for the babies (shrimplets).
- Leftover Food: They are incredible scavengers, quickly consuming any fish food that reaches the bottom, preventing it from decaying and fueling algae growth.
Cherries are best for prevention and light maintenance. They help keep a clean tank clean but will struggle to make a dent in a serious hair algae or BBA problem.
The Verdict: Who Wins the Algae War?
It’s not about one being “better” but about having the right tool for the job.
For a tough, existing algae outbreak, especially hair algae or BBA, the Amano shrimp is the undisputed winner. Their size, strength, and appetite are unmatched.
For maintaining a clean tank, adding a splash of color, and dealing with soft algae and biofilm, the Cherry shrimp is the perfect choice. Their rapid breeding also means your clean-up crew can grow to match your tank’s needs.
Pro Tip: Why not use both? In my own tanks, I use a combination. A small team of Amano “heavy-hitters” handles any tough spots, while a thriving colony of Cherry shrimp takes care of daily maintenance. It’s one of the best practices for a spotless tank.
Beyond Algae: A Complete Amano Shrimp vs Cherry Shrimp Algae Care Guide
A happy shrimp is a hungry shrimp! Keeping them healthy is the key to maximizing their algae-eating benefits. Here’s a quick rundown of their care requirements.
Tank Size and Water Parameters
This is where their needs start to diverge. Don’t worry—both are quite hardy, but there are some key differences.
- Amano Shrimp: Due to their larger size and active nature, a 10-gallon tank is a good minimum. They prefer stable, clean water with a pH of 6.5-7.5 and slightly softer water conditions (GH 4-8, KH 1-6).
- Cherry Shrimp: These little guys are perfect for smaller setups, thriving in tanks as small as 5 gallons. They are incredibly adaptable but do best in a pH of 6.5-8.0 and slightly harder water (GH 6-10, KH 2-8), which helps with their shell development.
Feeding and Diet
Wait, don’t they just eat algae? Yes, but a varied diet ensures they stay healthy, active, and ready to work. An underfed shrimp is not an effective cleaner.
Supplement their diet 2-3 times a week with high-quality foods like shrimp pellets, algae wafers, or blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach. This ensures they get all the minerals they need for healthy molting.
Temperament and Tank Mates
Both Amano and Cherry shrimp are completely peaceful and will not bother any of your fish or other tank inhabitants. The real question is, who will bother them?
Avoid any fish large enough to fit a shrimp in its mouth. That means no cichlids, angelfish, or larger gouramis. The best tank mates are small, peaceful fish like:
- Neon Tetras
- Ember Tetras
- Harlequin Rasboras
- Pygmy Corydoras
- Otocinclus Catfish
Breeding: The Population Explosion vs. The Expert Challenge
This is one of the biggest differences between the two and a major factor in your decision. How you approach the topic of how to amano shrimp vs cherry shrimp algae control can depend heavily on whether you want more shrimp over time.
Cherry Shrimp: The Prolific Breeders
If you have a healthy group of male and female Cherry shrimp, you will have babies. It’s that simple. They breed readily in standard freshwater aquariums, and seeing tiny shrimplets appear is one of the most rewarding parts of keeping them. A small starting colony of 10 can easily turn into a hundred within a year, creating a self-sustaining clean-up crew.
Amano Shrimp: The Brackish Water Mystery
You will almost certainly never see a baby Amano shrimp survive in your home aquarium. While the females will carry eggs, their larvae have a complex life cycle that requires a transition to full brackish or saltwater to develop. Replicating this is extremely difficult and is a project reserved for only the most dedicated, expert breeders. This means the number of Amanos you buy is the number you’ll have.
Common Problems with Amano Shrimp vs Cherry Shrimp Algae Control
Keeping shrimp is easy, but there are a few common problems to watch out for. Avoiding these pitfalls is key to establishing a healthy colony.
The Dangers of Copper
This is rule number one: copper is lethal to shrimp. Many fish medications and even some plant fertilizers contain copper. Always read the label before adding anything to your tank. If you need to treat your fish, it’s best to move them to a separate hospital tank.
Molting Issues
Shrimp have an exoskeleton, and to grow, they must shed it in a process called molting. A failed molt is often fatal. This is usually caused by unstable water parameters, particularly GH (General Hardness), which provides the calcium they need for their new shell. Keep your water stable, and your shrimp will molt without issue.
Acclimation: Your First and Most Important Step
Shrimp are sensitive to sudden changes in their environment. Never just plop them into your tank! The best method is slow drip acclimation. This slowly introduces your tank water into their bag water over an hour or two, allowing them to adjust safely. This single step will dramatically increase their survival rate.
Creating an Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Shrimp Aquarium
As aquarists, we have a responsibility to be mindful of our impact. Choosing your shrimp can be part of that. This is a core part of a sustainable amano shrimp vs cherry shrimp algae strategy.
Cherry shrimp are almost exclusively captive-bred. They are a wonderfully sustainable choice, and by buying them, you are supporting other hobbyists and breeders. They are a truly eco-friendly amano shrimp vs cherry shrimp algae control option.
Amano shrimp, on the other hand, are mostly wild-caught. While collection is generally managed, it’s important to purchase them from reputable stores that source their livestock responsibly. By choosing shrimp over chemical algaecides, you are already making a more natural, eco-friendly choice for your aquarium’s ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amano vs. Cherry Shrimp Algae Control
Can I keep Amano and Cherry shrimp together?
Absolutely! This is one of the best combinations for a clean-up crew. They get along perfectly and will not interbreed. The Amanos handle the tough algae while the Cherries manage the day-to-day tidying.
How many shrimp should I get for my tank?
A good starting point is 1-2 Amano shrimp per 5 gallons of water. For Cherry shrimp, because they are smaller and breed, you can start with a group of 10 or more for a 10-gallon tank. Their population will grow to fit the available resources.
Will shrimp eat my aquarium plants?
This is a common myth. Healthy plants are perfectly safe. Shrimp lack the mouthparts to damage strong plant leaves. They will, however, eagerly clean up any dying or decaying leaves, which is actually beneficial for your tank’s health.
My shrimp aren’t eating algae. What’s wrong?
The most common reason is overfeeding. If there is plenty of fish food available, they will choose that easy meal over tough algae. Try reducing your fish feeding slightly. It’s also possible they simply don’t like the specific type of algae in your tank or that it’s too tough and old for them to eat.
Your Algae-Free Aquarium Awaits
So, in the great battle of amano shrimp vs cherry shrimp algae, there is no single winner—only the right shrimp for your specific needs.
Choose the Amano Shrimp if you are facing a stubborn outbreak of hair algae or other tough varieties and need a powerful, specialized cleaning crew.
Choose the Cherry Shrimp if you want a beautiful, colorful, and self-sustaining colony that will keep a relatively clean tank looking pristine while adding a ton of life and activity.
Or, do what many of us do, and choose both! By combining the strengths of these two amazing creatures, you can create the ultimate clean-up crew. You’re not just fighting algae; you’re adding a fascinating, dynamic element to your underwater world. Go ahead, pick your team, and enjoy a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful aquarium. Happy shrimping!
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