Amano Shrimp

Because of their peaceful disposition and propensity for maintaining clean tanks, amano shrimp are a well-liked option for aquariums. Your underwater world can benefit greatly from the life and intrigue these tiny but active creatures can bring.

The fact that Amano shrimp consume algae is one of the key reasons for their popularity. They are a natural solution for keeping your fish and plants in a clean and healthy environment because they work hard to keep your tank free of unwanted growth.

Amano shrimp are a terrific addition for both novice and expert aquarists, as they are simple to care for and fascinating to watch. They are a favorite among people who want a vibrant and well-balanced aquarium because of their distinct behavior and significant role in tank maintenance.

Habitat in the wild

In Taiwan, Japan, and Korea’s freshwater habitats, amanos shrimp can be found. Freshwater bodies have been populated by this species of arthropod due to similar climatic conditions found in Fiji and Madagascar. Large rivers and mountain streams’ bottom layers are home to shrimp. The Bonin Islands’ freshwater bodies held the first specimens that Stimpson described (now Sulawesi).

The fact that the adults and larvae of this species inhabit distinct environments is an intriguing characteristic. While larvae prefer salty water, adults prefer fresh. As a result, most aquarium decapods are captured in their natural environments, and it is nearly hard to breed amano shrimp in artificial settings.

Appearance

Amano shrimp exhibit size and color sexual dimorphism. Compared to females, men are smaller. A mature male’s maximum size is 3.5 cm, while a female’s maximum size is 5 cm. The female’s need to carry eggs is the reason for this. Extended torso, segmented into three sections:

The abdomen can bend because it is made up of segments. Because they shield the pleopods, or swimming legs, they are wider in females than in males. They assist the female in carrying eggs. The thoracic region of the shrimp is home to ten segmented walking legs in total. We refer to the front ones as maxillipeds. Shrimp use them in some mating games and as a means of obtaining food.

The chitinous shell covering the cephalothorax is solid. The front portion of the carapace extends into the rostrum, a pointed beak. The teeth and protrusions on the amano shrimp are unique to this species; both their location and shape. There are two pairs of whiskers on either side of the rostrum. The second is significantly shorter than the first. Slender whiskers are the sense organs of smell and touch. They help the crustacean feel things and navigate through space.

The statocyst, the organ of balance, lies at their core. This opening in the shell has sensitive bristles "lined" it. Sand grains, which serve as "weights," are located inside the depression. The shrimp replaces them with new ones following the next molt. Chemoreceptors are the short, lower antennae.

The maxillipeds, located at the bottom, are used by the crustacean to hold food pieces and grind them with its strong mandibles. Two pairs of legs, or uropods, form blades in the tail section. The arthropod moves in the water using a fan that they form in tandem with its tail. There are tiny claws on the front walking legs. The animal defends itself and catches live prey with their assistance.

On stalks are the eyes. They have a brownish-reddish hue in Amano shrimp. Because of its complex structure, the eye perceives the world as a mosaic or kaleidoscope. According to some aquarists, the crustaceans’ eyes glow at night from reflected light.

Coloring

Like most freshwater shrimp, the Amano shrimp has a transparent body. You can see how food passes through the intestines—where the eggs are located—through the shell. Little reddish-brown dots can be seen on the sides, which blend into sporadic stripes as the body approaches the tail.

Males have dots on their sides, while females have both dots and lines. The crustacean’s back exhibits a deeper shade of sand color. A white stripe runs along the upper back from the "beak" to the tail.

Numerous variables affect color, including food, temperature, stress, background, and lighting. Concentrated pigment is found in star-shaped cells called chromatophores. The shrimp gets lighter if the pigment grains are concentrated in the center of the cell, and darker if they are distributed throughout the processes.

Maintenance conditions

Shrimp are crustaceans that go to school. Forty people are needed for every 100 liters. They have high expectations for the environment’s features. They prefer a temperature between 20 and 28 °C, but if there are no sharp drops in temperature, they can temporarily tolerate lower temperatures. Furthermore, the water ought to be:

• pH – 6.2-7.5;
• carbonate hardness (KH) – 6-8;
• general hardness (GH) – 6-8.

Aeration, filtration, and water changes are necessary because these organisms cannot withstand high concentrations of nitrates, nitrites, CO2, or ammonia. Crustacean shelters, such as stones, snags, and pebbles, should be present at the bottom. Arthropods are among the plants that are necessary, and they prefer to hide from other living things. These could be:

• cryptocoryne;
• javan and Christmas moss;
• gerbil;
• anubias mini;
• Guadalupe naiad.

While some plants do not get along well with algae-eating plants, these plants nonetheless grow well in shrimp tanks and produce stunning landscapes. The crustaceans can get away when the water’s parameters change. They are very skilled at scaling instrument tubes, plant stems, and exiting the tank. It is therefore preferable to put a lid on the aquarium.

It is required to change 20–30% of the water once a week. Aquarists have told tales of the Amano shrimp’s tenacity. After being submerged in regular tap water with plants, they lived peacefully in the bath for one to two days. However, this is not the appropriate way to test the viability of these adorable creatures.

Amano shrimp compatibility

Fish that are calmer than shrimp can be kept with crayfish. Fish that move quickly and actively, like barbs, start to disturb the crustaceans and make them hide, only emerging at night. Certain fish actively hunt shrimp, like cichlids and angelfish. Furthermore, it makes no difference how big or old the gluttons are.

Shrimp nutrition

The dietary choices of amano shrimp are incredibly diverse. They consume food scraps, plankton, and the detritus—waste products—of other aquarium occupants. However, filamentous and blue-green algae, aquarium parasitic plants, are what gave amano shrimp their notoriety and widespread appeal. Only when it comes to red algae—flip-flops and beards—are they helpless. There is a belief that algae eaters dislike plant pigment.

Protein is necessary for shrimp in addition to plant food. They can eat fry, snails, and dead fish in the wild. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect that the crustaceans in the aquarium will be healthy and live a long time. Arthropods should have a diverse and well-balanced diet. In terms of cuisine, shrimp are humble. They consume soft veggies like cucumbers and zucchini. They have no problem eating frozen and dry food. They eat live food as well.

Shrimp flakes and granules produced in an industrial setting that are premade and contain spirulina, fiber, vitamins, and important microelements. They are essential for the growth of crustaceans, as the body of an arthropod requires more building blocks during pregnancy and molting. As live food, daphnia, corethra, bloodworms, and tubifex are appropriate. A couple of times a week, adult shrimp are fed.

Reproduction

After six months, arthropods reach sexual maturity. The males detect the pheromones that the female secretes into the water after she has completed the molting stage, and it is through these that they locate a female that is ready for fertilization. The men start chasing after the female, and if she doesn’t object, the "gentleman" gets on her back, swims up to the abdomen, and uses the front pleopods—which have evolved into gonopodium—to attach the spermatophore to the genital opening.

The female forms an open ring with her abdomen by pressing down while lying on her side on the ground. Here is where it lays its eggs. Concurrently, a material is generated that breaks down the spermatophore shell. There is fertilization. Using its swimming legs, the amano shrimp presses the yellowish-greenish eggs. It cleans, aerates, and shields the eggs until the larvae emerge from them with their assistance.

Because the larvae need salt water to survive, breeding in an artificial reservoir is challenging. Expert fish keepers recommend putting the larvae in sea water (35 ppm), keeping the light on continuously, and keeping the temperature no higher than 21°C. Higher temperatures cause the larvae’s growth to slow down.

The seawater is mixed with aquarium water. It has every ingredient needed, including microorganisms and microalgae that will feed the young. The larva feeds vigorously, molts frequently, and matures into a tiny shrimp. It requires twenty days to complete.

Amano shrimp are quite popular these days. Large amounts of them are imported into European nations. However, once purchased specimens are put in an aquarium, they frequently pass away. The peculiar qualities of the water, the upkeep, and the food are the cause. Thus, you should familiarize yourself with the physiology, habits, and maintenance needs of cute crustaceans before acquiring them. After that, they will amuse you with their antics, assist in keeping the aquarium tidy, and flicker with translucent silhouettes against a backdrop of lush greenery.

Photo of Amano shrimp

Amano Shrimp provide both beauty and utility, making them an excellent addition to any freshwater aquarium. The remarkable capacity of these shrimp to remove algae contributes to the preservation of a wholesome habitat for other aquatic creatures.

They get along well with other non-aggressive species in community tanks because of their peaceful nature. They are an excellent option for both novice and seasoned aquarists because they are also reasonably simple to maintain.

Amano Shrimp add to the overall balance of your aquarium in addition to adding visual appeal due to their distinct appearance and practical role in the tank. Amano Shrimp are definitely something to think about if you want to incorporate a little bit of nature’s cleanup crew.

Amano Shrimp are a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts because of their remarkable capacity to eat algae. These tiny, transparent shrimp give a distinctive, lively touch to any aquatic setup in addition to being highly efficient at keeping tanks clean.

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