Neocaridina Davidi Vs Amano Shrimp: Choosing Your Perfect Cleanup Crew

Written ByHoward Parker

So, you’re standing in front of the shrimp tank at your local fish store, and you’re faced with a classic aquarium dilemma. On one side, you see a dazzling rainbow of tiny, colorful jewels—the Neocaridinas. On the other, you see larger, almost ghostly workhorses, diligently cleaning every surface—the Amanos.

You know you want a “cleanup crew,” but which one is right for your tank? It’s a question every aquarist asks at some point, and the answer isn’t always simple.

But don’t worry, you’re in the right place! I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll have a crystal-clear understanding of the great neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp debate. We’ll break down their differences in algae-eating power, breeding, care, and personality, so you can confidently choose the perfect shrimp to bring your aquarium to life.

Let’s dive in and find your ideal aquatic janitor!

Meet the Contenders: A Quick Introduction

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s formally introduce our two competitors. While both are fantastic additions to a freshwater tank, they come from very different backgrounds and fill slightly different roles.

Neocaridina davidi: The Colorful Breeder

Often called “Neos” for short, these are the shrimp that bring a splash of color to the hobby. The most famous variety is the Red Cherry Shrimp, but they come in a stunning array of colors like blue, yellow, green, orange, and even black.

They are small, peaceful, and incredibly easy to breed, making them a favorite for beginners and experienced keepers alike. Think of them as the vibrant, bustling citizens of your aquarium’s lower levels.

Caridina multidentata: The Algae-Eating Machine

Commonly known as the Amano shrimp, this species was popularized by the legendary aquascaper Takashi Amano for its voracious appetite for algae. They are larger, more robust, and typically translucent with a pattern of small dots and dashes along their sides.

Amanos are the heavy-duty cleaning specialists. While they don’t offer the same color pop as Neos, their work ethic is second to none. A small team of Amanos can make a noticeable difference in a tank’s cleanliness in a very short time.

Appearance and Size: The Rainbow vs. The Ghost

One of the most immediate differences you’ll notice is how these shrimp look. Your choice here often comes down to personal aesthetic preference: do you want a pop of color or a more subtle, functional inhabitant?

  • Neocaridina davidi: These are the smaller of the two, typically reaching about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm). Their main draw is their brilliant, solid coloration. You can create a stunning, multi-colored colony or stick to a single, vibrant hue. They add constant movement and visual interest to your substrate and plants.
  • Caridina multidentata (Amano): Amanos are significantly larger, often growing up to 2 inches (5 cm) or more. Their bodies are mostly clear or light brownish-grey, which allows them to blend into the background. This makes them perfect for aquarists who want the benefits of neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp without distracting from their fish or aquascape.

The size difference is a key factor. A larger Amano can feel more like a “pet,” while a colony of Neos feels more like a bustling community.

The Ultimate Algae-Eating Showdown: Neocaridina davidi vs Amano Shrimp

This is where the debate really heats up. Both shrimp eat algae, but they specialize in different types and have vastly different appetites. This is a crucial part of our neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp guide.

The Amano’s Appetite: A Hair Algae Powerhouse

When it comes to sheer algae-devouring power, the Amano shrimp is the undisputed champion. They are relentless. Their larger size and powerful mouthparts allow them to tackle tougher, more stubborn types of algae that other critters ignore.

Amanos are particularly famous for eating:

  • Black Beard Algae (BBA) – when it’s young and soft
  • Hair and Thread Algae
  • Cladophora (a particularly annoying stringy algae)
  • General biofilm and soft algae films

If you have a persistent, stringy algae problem, a small group of Amano shrimp will often work miracles. They are the special forces of algae cleanup.

The Neocaridina’s Niche: A Delicate Grazer

Neocaridina shrimp are more like diligent gardeners than a demolition crew. They spend their entire day picking at surfaces, but they focus on softer food sources.

Neos excel at cleaning up:

  • Soft green algae on glass and leaves
  • Biofilm (the invisible layer of microorganisms on all surfaces)
  • Diatoms (brown algae common in new tanks)
  • Leftover fish food

While a large colony of Neos can keep a tank looking very tidy, they won’t make a dent in tough hair algae or established Black Beard Algae. They are better for maintenance than for tackling a major outbreak.

Breeding: The Prolific Breeder vs. The Challenging Specialist

This is perhaps the single most important difference and a major deciding factor for many aquarists. Their reproductive strategies could not be more different.

Neocaridina Breeding: Just Add Water!

Seriously, it’s that easy. If you have healthy male and female Neocaridina shrimp in a stable freshwater aquarium, they will breed. The females carry bright yellow or green eggs under their tails (a process called being “berried”) for about 30 days.

The eggs hatch into miniature, fully-formed versions of the adults. With enough hiding spots and food, a small group of 10 shrimp can easily turn into a colony of hundreds within a year. For many, this is one of the greatest benefits of neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp—a self-sustaining, ever-growing population!

Amano Breeding: A Brackish Water Challenge

Amano shrimp will readily mate and carry eggs in a freshwater tank. You’ll see berried females all the time. However, the story ends there. The larvae require brackish water (a mix of fresh and saltwater) to develop. Once they mature, they must be slowly re-acclimated to freshwater.

This process is notoriously difficult and requires a separate, dedicated setup. For 99% of hobbyists, this means your Amano shrimp will never successfully reproduce in your community tank. This can be a huge advantage if you want a controlled population of algae-eaters without worrying about a population explosion.

Tank Requirements & Care Guide: Creating the Perfect Home

Good news! Both species are quite hardy and have overlapping requirements, which is why they can often be kept together. Here are some of the neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp best practices for care.

Water Parameters

Both shrimp appreciate a stable, mature aquarium. Avoid adding them to a brand-new, uncycled tank. Drip acclimation is highly recommended for both to prevent shock.

  • Neocaridina davidi: They are incredibly adaptable but thrive in slightly harder, more alkaline water which helps with their shell development.
    • Temperature: 65-80°F (18-26°C)
    • pH: 6.5 – 8.0
    • GH: 6 – 10 dGH
    • KH: 2 – 8 dKH
  • Amano Shrimp: Also very adaptable, they can tolerate a slightly wider range of parameters, including softer water, than many Neos.
    • Temperature: 70-82°F (21-28°C)
    • pH: 6.0 – 7.8
    • GH: 4 – 14 dGH
    • KH: 1 – 8 dKH

Diet and Feeding

While they are known as algae-eaters, algae alone is not enough. A varied diet is key to their health.

You should supplement their diet with high-quality shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (like zucchini or spinach), and biofilm-promoting foods like Indian almond leaves. Amanos, due to their size, are more assertive at feeding time and are notorious for snatching food right from fish or other shrimp!

Molting and Common Problems

Like all crustaceans, shrimp must molt their exoskeleton to grow. This is a vulnerable time. Don’t be alarmed if you find what looks like a dead shrimp body—it’s likely just a shed molt. Providing plenty of hiding spots like dense plants or cholla wood is crucial.

One of the common problems with neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp is failed molts, often caused by unstable water parameters or a lack of minerals (calcium and magnesium, measured by GH). Copper is also extremely toxic to all invertebrates, so always check the ingredients of fish medications.

Temperament and Tank Mates: Who Plays Well with Others?

Both shrimp are completely peaceful and will not harm any fish or plants. The real question is, who will harm them?

For Neocaridina davidi, their small size (especially the babies) makes them a potential snack for almost any fish. If you want your colony to grow, you must choose tank mates carefully. Ideal companions include Otocinclus catfish, small rasboras (like Chili or Phoenix), and other shrimp. Avoid any fish large enough to fit a shrimp in its mouth, like Bettas, Angelfish, or most cichlids.

Amano shrimp, being larger, are much safer with a wider variety of fish. Their size and speed make them a difficult target. They can often be kept with peaceful community fish like tetras, gouramis, and even a well-tempered Betta (with supervision). They are also much bolder and more active in the open compared to the shyer Neos.

Choosing Your Shrimp: A Quick-Reference Decision Guide

Still on the fence? Let’s simplify the how to neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp decision with a quick checklist.

Choose Neocaridina Davidi If…

  • You want to add vibrant, beautiful color to your tank.
  • You are excited by the idea of breeding shrimp and watching a colony grow.
  • You have a small tank (nano tanks are perfect for them).
  • Your tank mates are very small and peaceful (or it’s a shrimp-only tank).
  • Your main goal is general, light-duty cleaning of biofilm and soft algae.
  • You’re interested in a sustainable, captive-bred pet, which is an eco-friendly neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp choice.

Choose Amano Shrimp If…

  • Your primary goal is to destroy tough algae like hair or thread algae.
  • You do not want your shrimp to reproduce and overpopulate the tank.
  • You have a larger community tank with medium-sized, peaceful fish.
  • You prefer a more “functional” and less conspicuous cleanup crew.
  • You enjoy watching a bold, active invertebrate with a big personality.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neocaridina Davidi vs Amano Shrimp

Can Neocaridina and Amano shrimp live together?

Absolutely! This is a fantastic combination. The Amanos act as the heavy-duty cleaning crew, while the Neocaridinas handle the fine-tuning and add a splash of color. They have similar care requirements and will completely ignore each other.

Which shrimp is better for beginners?

Both are great for beginners, but Neocaridina davidi often gets the edge. Their ability to breed easily in the main tank provides a rewarding experience and a sense of accomplishment. They are also slightly more forgiving of minor parameter swings once established.

How many shrimp should I start with?

For Neocaridina, it’s best to start with a group of at least 10 to ensure you have both males and females and to help them feel secure. For Amano shrimp, a group of 3-5 is usually sufficient for most medium-sized tanks (20-40 gallons) to have a significant impact on algae.

Will Amano shrimp eat my baby Neocaridina shrimp?

This is a common concern. Generally, a well-fed Amano shrimp will not hunt baby Neos. They are scavengers, not active predators. However, if they are starving, they are opportunistic. If you provide plenty of food and hiding places like Java moss for the baby shrimp, you should have no issues keeping them together.

The Final Verdict: A Perfect Pairing

At the end of the day, the neocaridina davidi vs amano shrimp choice isn’t about which one is “better,” but which one is better for you. Neocaridinas offer a world of color and the joy of creating a self-sustaining colony. Amanos offer unmatched algae-eating utility in a larger, bolder package.

My personal recommendation? If your tank is 10 gallons or larger, why not get both? They create a perfectly balanced, multi-talented cleanup crew that covers all your bases.

No matter which path you choose, you’re adding a fascinating and beneficial new dimension to your aquarium. They will reward you with a cleaner tank and endless hours of entertainment. Go forth and happy shrimping!

Howard Parker
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