Amano Shrimp Vs Red Cherry – The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Your
So, you’re ready to add some amazing little invertebrates to your aquarium. You want a “cleanup crew” that will help keep things tidy, add life and movement, and be fascinating to watch. And that’s when the classic question pops up: which shrimp should you choose?
It often comes down to two of the most popular contenders in the hobby. Don’t worry, I’ve been there! In this complete guide, we’re going to break down the great amano shrimp vs red cherry debate, piece by piece, so you can make the perfect choice for your tank.
I promise that by the end of this article, you’ll have all the expert insights you need. We’ll compare their algae-eating skills, breeding habits, care needs, and how they fit into your aquascape. You’ll walk away feeling confident about which tiny crustacean is your aquarium’s new best friend.
Meet the Contenders: A Quick Introduction
Before we dive deep, let’s get properly introduced. While both are “shrimp,” they are completely different species with unique personalities and jobs in the aquarium.
The Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata): The Algae-Eating Workhorse
Often called the undisputed king of algae eaters, the Amano shrimp earned its fame from the legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano. He used them in his nature aquariums to keep them pristine.
These shrimp are larger, growing up to 2 inches, and have translucent bodies covered in a subtle pattern of dots and dashes. They aren’t flashy, but what they lack in color, they make up for with an incredible work ethic. They are relentless grazers.
The Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi): The Colorful Jewel
If Amanos are the functional workhorses, Red Cherry Shrimp (RCS) are the vibrant jewels. These little guys are famous for their brilliant red coloration, which adds a stunning pop of color against green plants and dark substrate.
They are smaller, usually topping out around 1 inch, and belong to a species that has been selectively bred into a rainbow of other colors, like blue, yellow, and orange. They are active, peaceful, and incredibly easy to breed.
The Ultimate Algae-Eating Showdown: Who Cleans Better?
This is often the number one reason people get shrimp, so let’s get right to it. The benefits of amano shrimp vs red cherry are most obvious right here.
Amano shrimp are, without a doubt, the more powerful algae eaters. They have a voracious appetite and are one of the very few creatures in the hobby that will actively eat tough, stringy algae like hair algae, thread algae, and even the dreaded Black Beard Algae (BBA).
Red Cherry Shrimp are more like diligent grazers. They are fantastic for maintenance, constantly picking at soft green algae, diatoms (brown algae), and, most importantly, biofilm. Biofilm is an invisible layer of bacteria and microorganisms that grows on all surfaces, and it’s the primary food source for shrimplets.
Here’s the takeaway:
- For a serious algae problem: Amano shrimp are your special forces. A small team can make a visible difference in days.
- For general daily cleaning and biofilm control: A colony of Red Cherry Shrimp is perfect. They keep things tidy but won’t tackle major outbreaks.
Breeding and Population Control: The Prolific vs. The Contained
This is a massive deciding factor and might be the easiest way to make your choice. Their breeding habits could not be more different.
Red Cherry Shrimp: The Prolific Breeders
Red Cherry Shrimp breed like… well, shrimp! If you have males and females in a healthy, stable tank, you will get babies. The females carry bright yellow eggs under their tails (this is called being “berried”) for about 30 days before hatching fully-formed miniature versions of themselves.
A small group of 10 can easily turn into a colony of hundreds within a year. For many, this is a huge plus! It’s rewarding to watch your colony grow, and they have a very low bioload, so they won’t overwhelm your filter. Don’t worry—these guys are perfect for beginners looking to try breeding!
Amano Shrimp: The Nearly Impossible Breeders
On the other hand, Amano shrimp will not reproduce in your freshwater aquarium. While females will become berried, their larvae require brackish or full saltwater conditions to develop.
Replicating this process is incredibly difficult and rarely achieved by hobbyists. This is a huge benefit if you want a cleanup crew without the risk of overpopulation. The number of Amanos you buy is the number you’ll have.
Amano Shrimp vs Red Cherry Care Guide: A Detailed Comparison
Both shrimp are relatively easy to care for, but they have slightly different preferences. Following this amano shrimp vs red cherry care guide will ensure they both thrive.
Water Parameters
This is where Red Cherries show their beginner-friendly nature. They are incredibly hardy and adaptable.
- Red Cherry Shrimp:
- Temperature: 65-80°F (18-26°C)
- pH: 6.4 – 8.0
- GH (General Hardness): 4-8 dGH
- KH (Carbonate Hardness): 3-15 dKH
- Amano Shrimp:
- Temperature: 70-80°F (21-26°C)
- pH: 6.5 – 7.5
- GH (General Hardness): 5-15 dGH
- KH (Carbonate Hardness): 1-8 dKH
The most important thing for both is stability. Shrimp hate sudden changes in water parameters, so always acclimate them slowly and perform regular, small water changes.
Diet and Feeding
While they are known as algae eaters, you can’t rely on algae alone. A well-rounded diet is key to their health, color, and breeding.
Both shrimp will happily graze on biofilm, leftover fish food, and decaying plant matter. You should supplement their diet 2-3 times a week with high-quality foods like:
- Shrimp-specific pellets or flakes
- Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber)
- Algae wafers
- Bacter AE or other biofilm-promoting powders
Pro-Tip: Amanos are much more aggressive eaters. They will often grab a pellet and run off with it! This can be one of the common problems with amano shrimp vs red cherry in the same tank, as the Amanos might outcompete the more timid Cherries for food. Be sure to spread the food around.
Temperament and Tank Mates: Who Plays Nicer?
The good news is that both shrimp are completely peaceful and are excellent additions to a community tank, with a few important caveats.
Red Cherry Shrimp are small and defenseless. They should never be kept with fish large enough to fit them in their mouths. Even seemingly peaceful fish like Bettas can and will hunt them. The best tank mates are other shrimp, snails, and very small, peaceful nano fish like:
- Ember Tetras
- Chili Rasboras
- Pygmy Corydoras
- Otocinclus Catfish
Amano Shrimp are larger and much bolder. Their size makes them safe from a wider variety of fish. They are fast and can easily escape a curious tank mate. While still peaceful, their boisterous nature, especially during feeding, means they can hold their own in a more active community tank.
Sustainable Choices: Eco-Friendly Amano Shrimp vs Red Cherry Best Practices
As responsible aquarists, it’s important to consider where our animals come from. This is an area with a stark difference between the two.
Nearly 100% of Red Cherry Shrimp in the hobby are captive-bred. This is fantastic for sustainability! It means there’s no impact on wild populations, and you can often support local breeders in your community. This is a key aspect of an eco-friendly amano shrimp vs red cherry approach.
Conversely, nearly all Amano Shrimp are wild-caught, primarily from rivers in Japan and Taiwan. While collection is often regulated, it still has an environmental footprint. To follow the best practices, it’s crucial to purchase them from highly reputable sellers who source their stock responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amano Shrimp vs Red Cherry
Can you keep Amano shrimp and Red Cherry shrimp together?
Yes, absolutely! They are a fantastic combination. The Amanos act as the heavy-duty cleaning crew, while the Cherries provide a splash of color and handle the daily biofilm grazing. Just ensure your tank is at least 10-15 gallons to give the more active Amanos enough space.
Which shrimp is better for beginners?
For a true beginner, Red Cherry Shrimp are the easier choice. Their hardiness, adaptability to a wide range of water parameters, and simple breeding make them incredibly forgiving and rewarding for someone just starting their aquarium journey.
Why are my Amano shrimp trying to escape the tank?
This is a classic Amano behavior known as “the great escape.” It’s almost always a sign of poor water quality, especially high ammonia or nitrites. If you see this, test your water immediately! It can also happen when they are first introduced to a tank. A tight-fitting lid is a must-have for any tank with Amanos.
Will Amano shrimp eat my Red Cherry shrimp or their babies?
This is a common fear, but it’s largely unfounded. Amano shrimp are not predatory. They are scavengers. A healthy adult or baby Red Cherry shrimp is far too fast for an Amano to catch. However, they are opportunistic and will eat a shrimplet that is already dead or dying. In a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots, this is not a concern.
The Final Verdict: Which Shrimp is Right For You?
By now, you should have a clear picture of which shrimp best fits your goals. The amano shrimp vs red cherry guide isn’t about which is “better,” but which is better for you.
Let’s boil it down:
- Choose Amano Shrimp if: You have a stubborn algae problem, you want a purely functional cleanup crew, and you absolutely do not want your shrimp to breed and multiply.
- Choose Red Cherry Shrimp if: You want to add a vibrant splash of color, you enjoy the idea of breeding and growing a colony, and your primary goal is general tank maintenance and biofilm control.
- Choose Both if: You have a tank 10 gallons or larger and want the best of both worlds—the ultimate cleaning power of the Amanos combined with the beauty and charm of a Red Cherry colony!
No matter which path you take, you’re about to add a wonderfully active and beneficial creature to your underwater ecosystem. They will bring a new level of life to your tank and help you keep it looking its best.
Go forth and enjoy the fascinating world of freshwater shrimp. Happy shrimping!
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