Amano Yamato Shrimp Caridina Multidentata 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Amano Shrimp is a translucent grey-green shrimp marked with a row of dashes along each flank, made famous by aquascaper Takashi Amano as the hobby's best algae eater. It is larger and tougher than dwarf shrimp and works tirelessly over plants, glass and wood. Native to streams in Japan and Taiwan, it suits any peaceful planted community.
- Adult Size: Around 4–5 cm (1.5–2 in); females larger
- Lifespan: 2–3 years, occasionally up to 5
Origin
- Native to: Japan, Taiwan and Korea
- Habitat: Clear mountain streams and rivers draining to the sea
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous grazer
- Preferred Foods: Algae, biofilm, algae wafers, shrimp pellets, blanched courgette, spinach
- Feeding Habits: Supplement two or three times weekly once algae runs short
Tank Mates
- Best with: Small tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, Otocinclus, nerite snails, dwarf shrimp
- Avoid: Cichlids, larger gouramis, bettas, crayfish, anything shrimp-sized mouthed
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful and busy
- Territoriality: None; keep in groups of five or more
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Sensitive to copper and ammonia; needs a mature tank
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
- Temperature: 18–27°C (64–81°F)
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Hardness: 4–8 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 40 litres; one shrimp per 20–40 litres for algae control
Final Notes
Amanos are bought for algae control but will not thrive on algae alone, so feed them once the tank is clean. Females carry eggs readily but the larvae need brackish water, so they will not colonise a freshwater tank. Avoid copper-based medications and plant fertilisers with high copper. Provide moss and cover for moulting, and fit a lid since they can climb out. They are hardy, long-lived and endlessly useful.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.