Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
| Amano Shrimp Caridina multidentata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Amano Shrimp |
| Name Lat. | Caridina multidentata |
| Synonym | Caridina japonica |
| Family | Shrimps |
| Family lat. | Atyidae |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Order lat. | Decapoda |
| Origin | Southern Asia |
| Habitat | Streams, estuaries |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.5-8.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Marine larval stages |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 2-3 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 3.0-5.5 cm |
| Temperature | 20-27 °C |
| Hardness | 5-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | 50 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.2"-2.2" |
| Temperature | 68-81 °F |
| Hardness | 89-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The natural range of the Amano shrimp extends from Japan to Taiwan and Indonesia. They live in coastal waters, such as slow-flowing streams and rivers with dense vegetation.
Maintenance
They require a partly densely planted aquarium with many roots and a medium strong current. The substrate of dark sand or gravel should be partially covered with foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves, oak leaves), rotting plant material and mulm.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable in the aquarium water, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals. When choosing the filter, special care should be taken to ensure that the animals cannot be sucked in.
Diet
In nature, they use the bristles of their scissor legs to rasp off growth organisms from stones, dead wood and plants
They can be fed well with autumn leaves of native trees (e.g. oak, beech, maple, birch), sea almond tree leaves as well as fresh, scalded nettle or dandelion leaves, spirulina algae and special shrimp food with low protein content (below 30%), plus spinach, freshly scalded or frozen. It is recommended to coat stones or roots with a slurry of spirulina, chlorella and other algae powder and place them in the aquarium after they have dried. Dry food for fish and crayfish, frozen or freeze-dried food as well as live food such as cyclops, daphnia, Artemia nauplii and microworms should only be offered occasionally due to the high protein content.
It is sufficient to feed them about 3 times a week. Unaccepted food should be siphoned off after about 12 hours. Regular and varied feeding promotes the well-being of the animals.
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in a group of at least 10 animals. Keeping them in a species tank is recommended, but they can also be kept with small peaceful fish in a community tank with lots of moss and fine-feathered plants (hiding places).
Basically, only compatible animals with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.
Reproduction and breeding
Females are significantly larger and have a more curved hind body.
They attach every 5-6 weeks, about 1,000 very small eggs to their swimming legs (pleopods), which are shed as larvae after a gestation period of about 4 weeks, develop in seawater and then migrate back to the brackish or freshwater of the rivers. Breeding is hardly possible in the aquarium.
Important
The Amano shrimp is considered the trigger of the worldwide shrimp boom. It was introduced by Takashi Amano, the famous aquarium photographer from Japan, who uses it for algae control in his natural aquariums. Remarkable is the above average life expectancy of up to 6 years.
The foliage (sea almond, oak, beech, etc.) not only provides cover, but as it rots it encourages the development of microorganisms that provide a valuable secondary food source. Feeding cucumbers, zucchini, peas, carrots, potatoes and peppers is discouraged.
The well-being of the animals should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced animals must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: www.aquamax.de
Source: KARGE & KLOTZ (2007): Süßwassergarnelen aus aller Welt, Dähne Verlag; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch