Australian Amano Shrimp 2cm

Australian Amano Shrimp

The Australian Amano shrimp is an adorable native Australian freshwater shrimp that will be a great clean-up crew member in a planted aquarium. These are Australia’s very own alternative to the highly coveted Japanese amano shrimp which are unfortunately illegal to import. These little invertebrates are very popular among shrimp keepers as the caridina shrimp, in general, tend to be an export-oriented shrimp due to the water requirements they prefer. These however are hardy shrimp and well-suited to Australian water parameters.

The Australian Amano shrimp measure up to around 6 cm when fully grown. This makes them perfect for smaller aquariums and will be almost invisible when added to a well-planted aquarium. They pretty much look like glass shrimp with a faint red outline across the shell and nose. Across the face and tail area, the Australian Amano shrimp have small star-like green spots
that stand out ever so slightly from the clear body. One of the biggest benefits to these shrimp is how much of a utilitarian species they are in the aquarium picking at hair algae and keeping the biofilm levels at a minimum by eating it. They also add virtually nothing to the bio-load level which does make them a no-brainer to add into an aquarium.

Breeding Australian Amano shrimps is a difficult task as they are amphidromous, meaning that they migrate between freshwater and saltwater for breeding and growing up. The adults inhabit and reproduce in freshwater environments, but the larvae require salt to brackish water to develop. Doing this in the home aquarium requires a lot of planning and likely multiple tanks. Males mount the female when both sexes are mature and fertilises the female. The mother then carries the eggs, which are initially green but turn to a dark brown colour just before hatching. The parents provide no care for the young, who are miniature replicas of the adults, and start fending for themselves right away.

Tank Recommendations for your Australian Amano Shrimp

A tank of 40 liters is a good starting point for these shrimps, but they can also thrive in larger systems as well. These algae shrimp will enjoy a well-planted aquarium with hiding spots like caves and tunnels. Using a gentle but efficient filtration system would be perfect and a great cost-effective option is a sponge filter. The water temperature should be kept between 20-26°C with a pH level of 6.0-7.5.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Australian Amano shrimps are peaceful and can coexist with a variety of small, non-aggressive tankmates.

Usually Compatible

Small, peaceful fish like Maculatus rasboras, Endler guppies, galaxy pearl danios, and similar nano species.

Sometimes Compatible

Larger tetras, bettas, smaller gourami species, and other smaller species may nip at the shrimp.

Rarely Compatible

Aggressive, predatory fish, or large bottom dwellers, may see the shrimp as a snack.

Feeding your Australian Amano Shrimp

Feeding Australian Amano shrimp is extremely easy as they only require small amounts of food and accept a wide range of food as well. Generally, a small sinking pellet or algae tablet is a great food option. Along with this can be supplemented with blanched veggies such as pumpkin and zucchini.