Why Amano vs Cherry
Amanos are larger (2 inches) and eat much more algae than cherries.
Cherry shrimp are decorative; amanos are functional algae control.
Cannot Breed in Freshwater
Larvae require brackish water to develop. Hobbyists cannot easily breed amanos at home.
Buy from suppliers — colonies do not self-sustain in freshwater tanks.
Tank Setup
10-30 amanos for a 50-gallon tank. They eat 24/7 — heavy algae load no problem.
Compatible with most peaceful fish — too large to be eaten by tetras and small cichlids.
Feeding (Beyond Algae)
Despite reputation, amanos starve in clean tanks. Supplement with algae wafers, blanched vegetables.
Skip protein-heavy foods — keeps them focused on algae.
- ✦Add to tank before plant trimmings — they clean rotting leaves
- ✦Watch for molts — discarded shells indicate healthy growth
- ✦Compatible with goldfish, cichlids (medium-sized), and larger community fish