Do Amano Shrimp Eat Algae? This question is extremely common among aquarists—especially beginners struggling with algae outbreaks and searching for natural solutions. The truth is that Amano shrimp are exceptional algae eaters, but they do not eat every type of algae equally, and their performance depends heavily on tank conditions, population size, and food availability.
Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are among the most popular freshwater shrimp in aquariums worldwide. Known for their tireless cleaning habits and calm nature, they are often introduced into specially planted tanks to help control algae. But what types of algae do Amano shrimp actually eat, and how effective are they? Can they really clean hair algae or black beard algae, or is this a myth?
This detailed expert guide explains what do Amano Shrimp eat? what algae Amano Shrimp eat? what they won’t eat? how to use them effectively for algae control? how often they molt, what they eat besides algae, and how to keep them alive.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Algae?
✅ Yes — Amano shrimp eat many types of algae, including hair algae, brown algae, diatoms, soft green algae, and leftover fish food. They are one of the most effective natural algae-eating species in freshwater aquariums.
What They Do Not Eat
❌ They do not usually eat black beard algae (BBA) unless starving and encouraged to feed on weakened BBA.
Best Results
- Keep 4–6 Amano shrimp per 10–20 gallons
- Provide stable water parameters and live plants
- Maintain a balanced diet so they do not starve
✨ Amano shrimp are a powerful cleanup crew, but they aren’t a magic fix for poor tank maintenance.
What Do Amano Shrimp Eat? (Full Diet Breakdown)
If we Understand what do amano shrimp eat, their natural diet, this will helps to explain why they are such effective algae controllers.
Primary Diet Sources of amano shrimp
| Soft green algae | ✔ Yes | Preferred grazing food |
| Hair / string algae | ✔ Often | They tear and pull strands |
| Brown algae | ✔ Yes | Common in new tanks |
| Diatoms | ✔ Yes | Excellent cleaners |
| Leftover fish food | ✔ Yes | Prevents ammonia spikes |
| Biofilm & microorganisms | ✔ Yes | Essential natural food |
| Black beard algae | ❌ Rarely | Will eat only under special conditions |
Amano shrimp are highly opportunistic omnivorous scavengers, they are not strict algae-eaters. In nature, they graze nonstop on whatever is available to them and constantly scrape surfaces for microscopic food. Because of this nature, they help maintain water clarity and reduce the risk of nutrient spikes, especially from uneaten food.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Plants?
Many hobbyists worry that Amano shrimp might damage delicate plants because they are aggressive eaters but truth is different.
The Expert Answer
🌿 No — Amano shrimp do not eat healthy aquarium plants.
You may see amano shrimp pulling on leaves, but they are actually eating soft algae, decaying leaf tissue, or biofilm, not the plant itself. They may nibble dead or dying leaves, which actually benefits plant health.
The only exception:
If amano shrimps are underfed for several days, they might sample very soft plants like moss or young shoots, but this is extremely rare.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Fish Eggs?
🐟 Yes — Amano shrimp may eat unattended fish eggs.
Amano shrimp do not hunt exactly for fish eggs of something actively like many fish, but if eggs fall to the substrate or are unprotected, Amanos shrimp will clean them as a protein source.
Avoid keeping Amano shrimp in breeding tanks unless you want a cleanup crew rather than fry survival.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Detritus and Waste?
We can have several shrimp available in the aquarium hobby—Cherry shrimp, Ghost shrimp, Bamboo shrimp—but none match the algae-eating ability of Amano shrimp.
What Makes Them Superior?
| Will amano shrimp eat hair algae | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
| Do amano shrimp eat brown algae | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Size & Strength | Larger | Small | Medium |
| Activity level | Very active | Moderate | Low |
| Ability to compete for food | Excellent | Weak | Weak |
Amano shrimp are larger, stronger, and more persistent grazers than other common shrimp species.
How Many Amano Shrimp Do You Need?
| Tank Size | Number of Amano Shrimp |
| 5 gallons | 2–3 |
| 10 gallons | 4–6 |
| 20 gallons | 8–10 |
| 40 gallons | 12–20+ |
More shrimp = faster algae control.
Too few shrimp = minimal visible improvement.
How Often Do Amano Shrimp Molt?
Molting process is critical to shrimp growth and overall health.
⏳ Amano shrimp molt approximately every 4–6 weeks depending on diet, water temperature, and stress levels.
🦐 During molting, shrimp hide for 24–72 hours. Provide:
- Dense plants
- Driftwood
- Rock caves
⚠️ Never remove shed exoskeletons — shrimp eat them to replenish calcium.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Algae? ( Detailed Algae-by-Algae Breakdown)
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Hair Algae?
Yes — Amano shrimp are one of the best natural eaters of hair algae.
The Hair algae (also known as string algae) commonly forms long green threads in a planted tank and grows rapidly when the lighting or nutrient balance is not right. Many fish ignore it, but Amano shrimp actively pull at these threads, tearing them apart and eating them piece by piece.
Why They Are So Effective
- Amano shrimp use strong pincers to pull apart long strands
- They graze in groups, which removes algae fast
- They eat fresh growth before algae grow more and matures
Best method for hair algae control with Amanos
| Add ≥ 4–6 shrimp per 10 gallons tank | Group feeding increases fastly |
| Reduce tank lighting by 1–2 hours | Slows regrowth |
| Spot dose liquid carbon (optional) | Softens algae for easier eating |
| Add live plants | Reduce excess nutrients |
⏱ Visible improvement in tank usually appears within 7–14 days.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Brown Algae (Diatoms)?
Yes — Amano shrimp eats brown algae.
Brown algae normally appears in fresh tanks (0–8 weeks) or tanks with low light or high silicates. Amano shrimp clean surfaces rapidly and are often recommended for brand-new planted aquariums.
Where amano clean best:
- Driftwood
- Glass walls
- Filter intakes
- Plant leaves
- Decorations & rocks
💡 Tip: Pair Amanos with Nerite snails for maximum brown algae removal.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Green Spot Algae?
🟡 Partially — amano shrimp may eat green spot algae lightly but cannot remove thick green spot algae.
This type of algae is tough and requires manual removal with a scraper or reduced phosphate imbalance. Amanos usually help to prevent spread but do not solve established patches.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Black Beard Algae (BBA)?
Amano shrimp mostly do not eat black beard algae — Amano shrimp rarely eat Black Beard Algae in normal conditions.
Black beard algae (or brush algae) is one of the toughest forms of algae in freshwater aquariums. This algae is very tough and difficult to eat for Amano shrimp hence they usually ignore it.
When Amano Shrimp Eat Black Beard Algae
Amano shrimp may eat black beard algae if:
- They are hungry and natural foods are limited
- BBA is weakened first (e.g., spot-treated with liquid carbon or boiling water dip)
Best method to make Amano shrimp eat Black Beard Algae
| 1 | Turn off filter, spot dose liquid carbon on BBA |
| 2 | Wait until algae turns red or white (3–5 days) |
| 3 | Add Amano shrimp directly onto affected area |
| 4 | Reduce lighting & nutrient excess |
After weakening of black beard algae, amano shrimp clean BBA surprisingly well.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Green Water Algae?
🌫 No — they cannot eat suspended free-floating green water algae.
Green water requires:
- UV sterilizer, or
- Daphnia culture, or
- Blackout for 3–4 days
What Do Amano Shrimp Eat Besides Algae?
A common doubt is do Amano shrimp eat algae, especially when dealing with green hair algae or brown diatoms.
Amano shrimp require more than algae to stay healthy long-term. Think if tank is clean or very minimal amount of algae then how amano will survive? Hence, they require supplemental feeding to prevent starvation. Following are the list of food that you can feed to amano shrimp.
Safe foods for Amano shrimp
| Shrimp pellets/wafers | Main protein source |
| Blanched vegetables | Spinach, zucchini, cucumber |
| Algae wafers | Helpful for stable nutrition |
| Biofilm & detritus | Natural daily food |
| Boiled leaf litter | Almond leaves improve health |
| Spirulina flakes | Enhances color and growth |
⏳ Feed 2–3 times per week depending on algae levels in the tank.
How to Keep Amano Shrimp Healthy (Care Requirements & Parameters)
The following are the ideal water parameters for tank which should be taken into consideration.
| Temperature | 69–78°F (20–26°C) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| GH | 6–10 dGH |
| KH | 2–6 dKH |
| TDS | 180–250 |
| Ammonia | 0 ppm |
| Nitrite | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate | < 20 ppm |
⚠ Amano shrimp are extremely sensitive to ammonia, nitrite, copper-based meds, and sudden water changes.
Always drip acclimate for 40–60 minutes when adding them to a new tank.
Ideal Tank Mates for Amano Shrimp
Amano shrimp are peaceful community and can be kept with many community fish, as long as they are not predators and try to eat them.
Best Tank Mates for Amano Shrimp:
| Neon tetras | Cichlids |
| Guppies | Goldfish |
| Rasboras | Betta (aggressive types) |
| Corydoras | Angelfish |
| Snails | Large gouramis |
| Cherry shrimp | Loaches |
| Small plecos | Crayfish |
🐟 Rule: Remember on thing if fish is large enough such that shrimp can fit in its mouth then eventually fish going to eat the shrimp.
Do Amano Shrimp Breed in Freshwater?
No — Amano shrimp cannot complete their life cycle in freshwater.
Females can release eggs in freshwater, but the larvae require brackish water to develop and must be moved to around 15–30 PPT salinity to survive.
If you see eggs, don’t expect babies to appear in your tank.
Do Amano Shrimp Breed in Freshwater?
No — Amano shrimp cannot breed in freshwater.
Amano Females can release eggs in freshwater, but the larvae require brackish water to develop and that is why it is must be moved to around 15–30 PPT salinity to survive.
If you see eggs, don’t expect babies to appear in your tank.
How Long Do Amano Shrimp Live?
When we think about how long do amano shrimp live in a tank then In stable tank conditions, Amano shrimp can live:
⏳ Amano shrimp lifespan: 2–3 years on average, sometimes up to 5 years in well-maintained planted tanks.
Good water stability in tank = longer amano shrimp lifespan.
Signs of Healthy vs. Unhealthy Amano Shrimp
You can observe the health of amano shrimp also depending on What do Amano shrimp eating or not eating and also by observing their activities:
| Signs of Healthy Amano Shrimp | Signs of UnHealthy Amano Shrimp |
| Active and constantly grazing | Hiding all the time |
| Clear or slightly patterned body | Cloudy or milky body |
| Regular molting | Failed or stuck molt |
| Feeding aggressively | Refusing food |
| Group swimming behavior | Lethargic or floating |
If shrimp show stress:
- Check all the tank parameters immediately
- Increase oxygen & do the small water change
⚠ Common Reasons Amano Shrimp Die
The most common reason for amano shrimp die is poor water quality and improper feeding. Due to these reasons Amano shrimp died and turned pink in your tank.
| Reasons | Effects |
| New tank syndrome | High ammonia or nitrite |
| Copper in water or meds | Toxic to shrimp |
| Sudden water parameter changes | Osmotic shock |
| Overheating | Reduces oxygen |
| Starvation | Not enough algae or food |
| Aggressive tank mates | Shrimp hunted |
💡 Tip: Always use a dechlorinator that removes heavy metals.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Black Beard Algae? (Real Results & Expert Truth)
One of the most common questions from aquarists is:
Do Amano shrimp eat black beard algae?
Or will Amano shrimp eat black beard algae if hungry?
✔️ The short answer
🔍 Amano shrimp do not eat black beard algae frequently in its normal state.
However — they can rarely eat it when the algae is weakened or dying, especially after treatment with hydrogen peroxide, Seachem Flourish Excel, or strong lighting adjustments.
Why Amano Shrimp Do not Eat Black Beard Algae?
Amano rarely eats black beard algae (BBA) because of following reasons:
- Tough and coarse in texture
- Strongly attached to surfaces
- Low nutritional value compared to soft algae
Amano shrimp naturally search for soft, tender algae and biofilm, so BBA is not preferred unless it becomes soft.
How to Make Amano Shrimp Eat BBA (Pro Technique)
| 1 | Spot treat BBA with Seachem Excel / Hydrogen Peroxide |
| 2 | Turn off filter for 15 minutes |
| 3 | Wait for algae to turn pink/white over 48 hours |
| 4 | Add Amano shrimp — they immediately graze softened BBA |
🧠 Expert Tip: Add 8–12 Amano shrimp per 20 gallons after treatment for maximum cleanup coverage.
How Often Do Amano Shrimp Molt?
The Molting Process is critical to shrimp health and indicates growth.
So, how often do Amano shrimp molt?
🦐 Amano shrimp molt every 4–6 weeks, depending on their diet, water parameters, and age.
Signs Your Amano Shrimp Has Molted
- You will found clear empty shell found in tank
- Shrimp Temporary hiding for 24–48 hours
- Shrimp Reduced its movement and activity than normal
Why Shrimp Molting Matters
| Growth | Shrimp shed its old exoskeleton to expand size |
| Health indicator | Strong molting means stable water & nutrition |
| Reproduction | Mature females molt before mating |
⚠️ If shrimp die during molting, it often indicates:
- Low minerals (GH < 6)
- Rapid temperature swings
- Possble Copper contamination
- Poor diet or feeding lacking calcium
Add cuttlebone or mineral rocks to improve molting strength.
What Do Amano Shrimp Eat? (Essential Feeding Guide)
Let us know what do Amano shrimp eat? To maintain algae-eating efficiency, Amano shrimp require a balanced diet.
🥗 Primary Foods of Amano Shrimp
| Algae | hair algae, brown algae, diatoms, soft green algae |
| Biofilm | tank surfaces, wood, plants |
| Protein | bloodworms, shrimp pellets |
| Vegetables | spinach, blanched zucchini, cucumber |
| Supplements | algae wafers, spirulina pellets |
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Fish Eggs?
👉 Yes — Amano shrimp will eat fish eggs, especially unfertilized or leftover ones.
You should never keep Amano shrimp in a breeding tank unless you plan to separate eggs. New aquarists usually ask, “Do Amano shrimp eat algae when there is fish food available?” Lets find out.
Ideal Tank Setup for Best Algae Cleaning Performance
In this insight of do Amano shrimp eat algae? it is also very important to know ideal tank setup for shrimp that they will give the best algae cleaning performance for your tank. To maximize algae control, create an ecosystem that supports shrimp activity.
🧠 Recommended Tank Conditions
| Tank size | Minimum 10 gallons |
| Temperature | 22–26°C (72–79°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| GH | 6–10 |
| KH | 3–6 |
| TDS | 180–250 |
| Flow | Gentle, adjustable |
| Plant Density | High |
| Group Size | 4–10 recommended |
Best Tank Mates
✔️ Guppies
✔️ Tetras
✔️ Corydoras
✔️ Snails
❌ Avoid Bettas, Angelfish, and large cichlids
How Many Amano Shrimp Per Gallon?
| 10 gallons | 4–6 |
| 20 gallons | 8–12 |
| 40 gallons | 15–20 |
More shrimp = cleaner tank + controlled algae growth
🪄 Expert Summary On Do Amano Shrimp Eat Algae?
Amano shrimp are one of the most efficient algae cleaners available — especially for hair algae, brown algae, diatoms, and leftover food.
They will not normally eat black beard algae unless softened first, but with proper tank setup, nutrition, and group numbers, they can significantly improve algae control.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amano Shrimp & Algae Control
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Algae?
Yes — Amano shrimp are among the most efficient natural algae cleaners. They constantly graze on surfaces and consume hair algae, brown algae, diatoms, soft green algae, and biofilm inside the aquarium. They help to reduce algae growth, maintain water clarity, and balance the ecosystem when kept in groups.
Will Amano Shrimp Eat Hair Algae?
Yes. Amano shrimp actively eat hair algae, one of the most common nuisance algae types in planted tanks. They pull the strands into their mouths and eat continuously, especially when kept in groups of 4–10 shrimp.
Expert Tip: Hair algae control improves dramatically when nutrients are balanced (NO3 10–20 ppm, PO4 1–2 ppm).
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Brown Algae?
Yes — Amano shrimp eat brown algae (diatoms), especially in new tanks with unstable parameters. Brown algae usually appear due to low light or excess silicates, and Amanos clean it quickly from glass, wood, and leaves.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Diatoms?
Absolutely. Diatoms are a favorite food for Amano shrimp, and they help clear cloudy brown film that covers new tank surfaces. This makes them ideal for brand-new aquariums during the cycling stage.
Will Amano Shrimp Eat Black Beard Algae (BBA)?
Amano shrimp rarely eat healthy black beard algae, but they do eat it when softened or dying. If BBA is first weakened, they consume it aggressively.
How to soften BBA so Amanos will eat it:
| Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) spot treatment | Turns BBA white/pink |
| Seachem Excel spot dosing | Weakens algae structure |
| Reduce lights & stabilize CO2 | Stops regrowth |
Pro Technique: After treatment, add 8–12 Amano shrimp per 20 gallons for strongest cleanup.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Plants?
Generally no — Amano shrimp do not eat healthy plants. They only consume:
- Dead or decaying leaves
- Melted leaf tissue
- Soft damaged plant edges
If they are seen eating live plants, it usually means:
- Lack of algae and food
- Plant is already decaying
- Poor nutrition to them
Provide algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and protein snacks 1–2 times per week.
Do Amano Shrimp Eat Fish Eggs?
Yes — Amano shrimp will eat fish eggs if accessible, especially in community aquariums. They see eggs as high-protein food.
If breeding fish or shrimp, remove eggs to a nursery tank.
What Do Amano Shrimp Eat Daily?
Their diet includes:
- Hair algae, brown algae, diatoms
- Biofilm & microorganisms
- Algae wafers & shrimp pellets
- Boiled spinach, zucchini, cucumber
- Fish food leftovers
How Often Do Amano Shrimp Molt?
Amano shrimp typically molt every 4–6 weeks, depending on:
- Water GH hardness (ideal: GH 6–10)
- Minerals in diet
- Stress level
Never move or disturb hiding shrimp — they are soft and vulnerable.
🎯 Final Summary — Are Amano Shrimp Worth It for Algae Control?
| Hair Algae Removal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Brown Algae / Diatoms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Soft Green Algae | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Black Beard Algae | ⭐⭐ (only if damaged first) |
| Plant Safety | Safe |
| Community Safe | Yes |
| Maintenance Level | Easy |
Final Verdict
👉 One big question for planted tank owners is, “Do Amano shrimp eat algae enough to clean the tank?”
Amano shrimp are one of the most effective natural algae cleaners you can add to a freshwater planted aquarium, especially when kept in groups and supported with good nutrition and stable water conditions.
They do not perform miracles — but when the tank is balanced, they become an essential cleanup team that naturally keeps algae under control.
