Do Amano Shrimp Eat Cherry Shrimp – Your Ultimate Guide To A Thriving

Written ByHoward Parker

You’ve seen the stunning planted tanks online—a vibrant red carpet of Cherry shrimp grazing peacefully while a team of larger, translucent Amano shrimp diligently scrubs away at algae. It’s the dream cleanup crew! You head to the fish store, ready to create this beautiful, balanced ecosystem.

But then, a nagging question pops into your head. The Amanos are so much bigger. Will they see your precious Cherries as a snack? The internet is full of conflicting stories, leaving you more confused than when you started.

Imagine having a crystal-clear understanding of how these two species interact. Picture a tank where both your colorful Cherries and your powerhouse Amanos coexist peacefully, each contributing to a healthier, more beautiful aquarium. You can stop worrying and start enjoying the lively, bustling community you’ve always wanted.

You’ve come to the right place. In this complete guide, we’re going to dive deep into the question: do amano shrimp eat cherry shrimp? We’ll bust the myths and give you the expert-backed, practical steps to create a thriving, harmonious mixed-shrimp tank. Let’s get started!

The Short Answer vs. The Real Answer: Understanding Shrimp Behavior

Let’s get the big question out of the way first. The short answer is: no, a healthy, well-fed Amano shrimp will not typically hunt down and eat a healthy adult Cherry shrimp.

But as any experienced aquarist knows, the short answer is rarely the whole story. The real answer is more nuanced and lies in understanding the fundamental nature of Amano shrimp.

Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are not predators; they are opportunistic omnivores and scavengers. This is the single most important concept to grasp. Their primary job in your tank is to eat algae, biofilm, and any leftover food they can find. They are relentless, efficient cleaners.

However, that “opportunistic” trait means they won’t pass up an incredibly easy meal if it presents itself. They won’t actively stalk a healthy Cherry shrimp, but they will absolutely take advantage of a situation where a meal requires zero effort. This distinction is the key to keeping them together successfully.

When Do Amano Shrimp Eat Cherry Shrimp? The Scenarios to Avoid

So, if they aren’t hunters, under what circumstances might an Amano end up eating a Cherry? Understanding these specific situations is the core of our do amano shrimp eat cherry shrimp guide. By preventing these scenarios, you create a safe environment for everyone.

The Case of the Sick or Dying Shrimp

This is the most common scenario misinterpreted as predation. If a Cherry shrimp is sick, weak, or has died, it becomes part of the detritus in the tank. Your Amano shrimp’s scavenging instincts will kick in, and it will efficiently “clean up” the body.

Seeing an Amano eating a dead Cherry doesn’t mean it killed it. It simply means it was the first member of the cleanup crew to arrive on the scene. This is a natural and even beneficial process, preventing a dead shrimp from fouling your water.

The Extreme Vulnerability of Shrimplets

Here is the biggest risk and a critical consideration for anyone wanting to breed Cherry shrimp. Cherry shrimp babies, or shrimplets, are incredibly tiny. They are small enough to be considered a food source by many tank inhabitants, including Amano shrimp.

An Amano won’t necessarily hunt them down, but as it forages through moss and substrate, it will undoubtedly consume any shrimplets it stumbles upon. If your primary goal is to maximize your Cherry shrimp population, keeping them in a separate, species-only tank is the safest bet.

The Dangers of a Hungry Tank

An underfed Amano is a more desperate scavenger. If there isn’t enough algae, biofilm, or supplemental food in the aquarium, their opportunistic nature will become more pronounced. A starving Amano is more likely to bother other tank inhabitants, including a vulnerable, freshly molted Cherry shrimp.

Ensuring your Amanos are well-fed is one of the most important do amano shrimp eat cherry shrimp tips we can offer. A fat and happy Amano is a peaceful Amano.

Best Practices for a Peaceful Cohabitation: Your Care Guide

Don’t worry—you can absolutely keep these two species together! It just requires a bit of thoughtful planning. By following these best practices, you can mitigate the risks and create a tank where everyone thrives.

Step 1: Go Big on Tank Size

Territory and resources are everything. A cramped tank leads to competition and stress. While you can keep shrimp in a 5 or 10-gallon tank, we highly recommend a 20-gallon tank or larger for a mixed community.

More space means more surface area for biofilm and algae to grow, less competition for food, and plenty of room for everyone to have their own personal space. This simple step dramatically reduces potential conflict.

Step 2: Create a Shrimp Paradise with Hiding Spots

This is non-negotiable, especially if you want any shrimplets to survive. A heavily planted tank is a safe tank. Provide an abundance of hiding spots for molting shrimp and babies.

  • Dense Plants: Java moss, Guppy Grass, and Hornwort are perfect. They create a dense, tangled jungle that larger Amanos can’t easily penetrate, giving shrimplets a safe haven.
  • Hardscape: Cholla wood, with its many holes and textured surface, is a shrimp favorite. Stacks of slate or dragon stone can create tiny caves and crevices.
  • Leaf Litter: Adding Indian Almond Leaves or other botanicals not only provides cover but also encourages the growth of biofilm, a primary food source.

Step 3: A Well-Fed Tank is a Happy Tank

A proper feeding schedule is crucial. Don’t rely solely on naturally occurring algae. Supplement their diet to ensure the larger, more assertive Amanos don’t outcompete the Cherries.

Scatter-feed powdered foods like Bacter AE to encourage biofilm for everyone. Drop in algae wafers or shrimp pellets every few days. A great pro tip is to use a glass feeding dish. This concentrates the food in one spot, often attracting the big Amanos and allowing the Cherries to forage peacefully elsewhere in the tank.

The Benefits of Keeping Amano and Cherry Shrimp Together

When you get the setup right, the benefits are fantastic. This isn’t just about avoiding problems; it’s about creating a better, more balanced ecosystem. This is the heart of a sustainable and eco-friendly do amano shrimp eat cherry shrimp approach.

A Superior Cleanup Crew: Amanos are the undisputed champions of tackling tougher algae like Black Beard Algae and hair algae. Cherry shrimp, on the other hand, are excellent at grazing on soft algae and biofilm on delicate plant leaves. Together, they cover all the bases.

A More Dynamic Aquarium: The contrast in size, color, and behavior is fascinating to watch. The bold, busy Amanos provide a different kind of activity compared to the constant, colorful grazing of a Cherry shrimp colony. Your tank will feel more alive and diverse.

Improved Tank Health: By working together to consume leftover food, decaying plant matter, and algae, they help keep your water parameters more stable. They are a living, breathing part of your filtration system.

Common Problems and Easy Solutions

Even with the best planning, you might run into a few hiccups. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide for the most common problems with keeping Amanos and Cherries together.

  • Problem: “My Cherry shrimp colony isn’t growing!”
    Solution: This is almost certainly due to shrimplets being eaten. The fix is to add more cover. Double down on the Java moss and other dense plants. If breeding is your top priority, you may need a separate tank.
  • Problem: “The Amanos are stealing all the food!”
    Solution: Change your feeding strategy. Use a feeding dish to distract the Amanos. Crush up pellets or wafers and scatter them across the tank so everyone gets a chance. Feed right before the lights go out, as shrimp are often more active in lower light.
  • Problem: “I saw an Amano ‘attacking’ a Cherry!”
    Solution: Observe carefully before you panic. 99% of the time, the Cherry was already dead or dying, and the Amano is just scavenging. Check your water parameters and look for signs of illness in your Cherry colony. True, unprovoked aggression from an Amano is exceptionally rare.

Frequently Asked Questions About Do Amano Shrimp Eat Cherry Shrimp

Will Amano shrimp eat my Cherry shrimp eggs?

No. Cherry shrimp carry their eggs under their tail (they are “berried”) until they hatch. An Amano shrimp cannot remove the eggs from a healthy female. Once the eggs hatch into tiny shrimplets, however, they are at risk.

How many Amano shrimp should I keep with Cherry shrimp?

A good rule of thumb is one Amano shrimp per 5-10 gallons of water. They have a larger bioload than Cherries and are very active. For a 20-gallon tank, 2-4 Amanos would be a great addition to a thriving Cherry shrimp colony.

Can I keep fish with my Amano and Cherry shrimp?

Yes, but choose wisely! Any fish large enough to fit a shrimp in its mouth will likely eat it. Stick to small, peaceful nano fish like Otocinclus catfish, Chili Rasboras, Celestial Pearl Danios, or Pygmy Corydoras for the best results.

Does this advice apply to other Neocaridina shrimp like Blue Dreams or Yellows?

Absolutely! Cherry shrimp are just one color morph of the species Neocaridina davidi. This entire guide and all the best practices apply equally to any other Neocaridina shrimp you wish to keep with Amanos.

Your Peaceful Shrimp Tank Awaits

So, let’s circle back to our core question: do amano shrimp eat cherry shrimp? The truth is that in a well-maintained, healthy aquarium, they are perfectly compatible tank mates. They are scavengers, not predators, and will only consume shrimplets or shrimp that are already sick or dying.

Your success hinges on three simple but powerful principles:

  1. Provide ample space to reduce competition.
  2. Create dense hiding spots with plants and wood to protect shrimplets and molting adults.
  3. Keep everyone well-fed to discourage desperate scavenging.

By following this guidance, you can confidently build that beautiful, bustling shrimp tank you’ve been dreaming of. You can enjoy the algae-busting power of the Amano and the vibrant color of the Cherry, all in one peaceful, thriving underwater world.

Happy shrimping!

Howard Parker
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