Can Cherry Shrimp Live With Amano Shrimp – A Complete Guide

If you are wondering whether you can keep cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp together in the same tank, you have come to the right place. In this blog post, I will give you a complete guide on how to successfully house these two popular shrimp species without any problems. I have been keeping cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp for several years now, and I can confidently say that they are compatible and peaceful tank mates. I will also share with you some tips and tricks on how to provide them with the best care and environment possible. So, let’s get started!

Cherry shrimp can live with Amano shrimp in the same tank. These two shrimp species are compatible and peaceful tank mates that share similar water requirements, diet needs, and environmental preferences. They also have different but complementary roles in keeping the aquarium clean and algae-free. However, there are some factors that you need to consider before mixing cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp, such as their size difference, breeding difficulty, and potential aggression under stress.

As you can see, cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp are not only compatible but also beneficial for your aquarium. They add color, personality, and diversity to your tank, and they help you maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem. However, keeping these two shrimp species together is not as simple as throwing them in the same tank and hoping for the best. You need to provide them with the proper care and environment that suits their needs and preferences. You also need to monitor their behavior and interactions to prevent any conflicts or problems. In the next paragraphs, I will share with you some of the most important aspects of keeping cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp together, such as their tank requirements, feeding habits, breeding methods, and potential tank mates. By following these tips and tricks, you will be able to enjoy the beauty and benefits of these two amazing shrimp species for a long time. So, keep reading to learn more!

Can Cherry Shrimp Live With Amano Shrimp – A Complete Guide

If you are looking for some colorful and lively additions to your freshwater aquarium, you might be interested in keeping cherry shrimp and amano shrimp. These two types of shrimp are both popular among aquarists for their attractive appearance, easy care, and beneficial role in algae control.

But can cherry shrimp live with amano shrimp? Are they compatible or will they fight or interbreed? In this guide, we will answer these questions and more. We will also give you some tips on how to successfully mix cherry shrimp and amano shrimp in your tank.

Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp: Basic Overview

Before we dive into the compatibility of cherry shrimp and amano shrimp, let’s take a quick look at their basic characteristics and requirements.

Cherry Shrimp

Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are one of the most popular dwarf shrimp in the hobby. They are native to Taiwan, where they live in streams and ponds. They come in a variety of colors, from red to yellow to blue, depending on their genetic strain.

Cherry shrimp are very easy to care for, as they can adapt to a wide range of water parameters. They prefer a temperature of 59 to 84 degrees F (with 72 degrees F being the ideal temperature) and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Their water should be slightly alkaline. The hardness should range from 6 to 10dGH and 8 to 20dKH, and you have to keep their nitrate levels below 20ppm. The ammonia concentration should be zero.

Cherry shrimp are omnivorous and will eat almost anything they can find in the tank, including algae, biofilm, detritus, plant matter, and commercial foods. They are very peaceful and will not harm other tank inhabitants. They are also prolific breeders and will reproduce quickly if given enough food and hiding places.

Amano Shrimp

Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are another popular dwarf shrimp in the hobby. They are native to Japan and Taiwan, where they live in freshwater rivers and streams. They are named after Takashi Amano, a famous aquascaper who introduced them to the aquarium world.

Amano shrimp are larger than cherry shrimp, reaching up to 2 inches in length. They have a translucent body with brown spots and stripes. They are also very easy to care for, as they can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. They prefer a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees F, a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, and hardness of 6.0 to 8.0dKH. They also require nitrate levels of less than 20ppm and zero ammonia.

Amano shrimp are voracious algae eaters and will clean your tank of any unwanted algae growth. They are also omnivorous and will eat any food that falls to the bottom of the tank, including flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and vegetables. They are generally peaceful and will not bother other tank mates. However, they are not easy to breed in captivity, as their larvae require brackish water to survive.

Cherry Shrimp And Amano Shrimp: Compatibility

Now that we have a basic understanding of cherry shrimp and amano shrimp, let’s see if they can live together peacefully in the same tank.

The answer is yes, cherry shrimp and amano shrimp can coexist without any major issues. There are several reasons why these two types of shrimp are compatible:

• Similar Water Requirements: As we have seen above, cherry shrimp and amano shrimp have very similar water parameters that they can thrive in. They both prefer slightly alkaline water with moderate hardness and low nitrates. They can also tolerate a wide range of temperatures and pH levels. This means that you don’t have to worry about adjusting the water conditions to suit one type of shrimp over the other.
• Peaceful Temperament: Both cherry shrimp and amano shrimp are peaceful creatures that will not harm or harass each other or other tank mates. They are not aggressive or territorial and will not fight over food or space. They will mostly ignore each other and focus on their own activities.
• Size Difference: Cherry shrimp and amano shrimp have a noticeable size difference that prevents them from interbreeding or predating on each other. Amano shrimp are larger than cherry shrimp, but not large enough to eat them or pose a threat
• No Interbreeding: Cherry shrimp and amano shrimp belong to different genera and cannot interbreed. Cherry shrimp are Neocaridina davidi, while amano shrimp are Caridina multidentata. This means that you don’t have to worry about hybridization or losing the purity of your cherry shrimp strains. You can keep both shrimp in the same tank without affecting their genetics.

Benefits of Keeping Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp Together

By keeping cherry shrimp and amano shrimp together in the same tank, you can enjoy several benefits, such as:

• Algae Control: Both cherry shrimp and amano shrimp are excellent algae eaters and will help keep your tank free of any unwanted algae growth. Amano shrimp are especially good at eating hair algae, while cherry shrimp will graze on biofilm and green algae. Together, they will make a great team in terms of keeping your aquarium clean.
• Color and Personality: Cherry shrimp and amano shrimp will add a lot of color and personality to your tank. Cherry shrimp come in various vibrant colors that will contrast nicely with the green plants and the substrate. Amano shrimp have a more subtle appearance, but they are very active and curious. They will explore every inch of your tank and interact with other tank mates.
• Easy Care: Both cherry shrimp and amano shrimp are very easy to care for, as they can adapt to a wide range of water parameters and do not require any special equipment or supplements. They are also hardy and resistant to diseases, as long as you maintain good water quality and avoid overfeeding them.

Tips for Keeping Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp Together

If you want to keep cherry shrimp and amano shrimp together successfully, here are some tips that you should follow:

• Choose a Suitable Tank Size: The size of your tank will determine how many cherry shrimp and amano shrimp you can keep together. As a general rule, you should provide at least one gallon of water per shrimp. However, this can vary depending on the type of filtration, plants, and decorations you have in your tank. A larger tank will always be better than a smaller one, as it will provide more space and stability for your shrimp.
• Provide Enough Food: Both cherry shrimp and amano shrimp are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods. However, you should make sure that you provide enough food for both types of shrimp, as they may compete for food during feeding time. Amano shrimp are larger and more aggressive than cherry shrimp, so they may outcompete them for food if there is not enough to go around. You can feed your shrimp once or twice a day, depending on their appetite and activity level. You can also supplement their diet with blanched vegetables, such as zucchini, spinach, or cucumber.
• Provide Enough Hiding Places: Both cherry shrimp and amano shrimp are shy and timid creatures that need hiding places to feel safe and comfortable in their tank. You can provide them with various plants, driftwood, rocks, caves, or other decorations that will create natural shelters for them. Hiding places will also help reduce stress and aggression among your shrimp, as well as provide them with places to molt and breed.
• Monitor Water Quality: Both cherry shrimp and amano shrimp are sensitive to water quality and will not tolerate poor water conditions. You should monitor your water parameters regularly and perform water changes as needed to keep your water clean and stable. You should also avoid using any chemicals or medications that may harm your shrimp or alter their water parameters.

Conclusion

Cherry shrimp and amano shrimp can live together peacefully in the same tank, as they have similar water requirements, peaceful temperament, size difference, and no interbreeding potential. They also offer several benefits for your aquarium, such as algae control, color and personality, and easy care.

However, you should also follow some tips to ensure their compatibility, such as choosing a suitable tank size, providing enough food, providing enough hiding places, and monitoring water quality.

If you follow these guidelines, you can enjoy keeping cherry shrimp and amano shrimp together in your freshwater aquarium.

Why Can It Be Challenging To Grow Amano And Cherry Shrimp?

Most aquarists won’t have any issues in growing both Amano and Cherry shrimp in the same tank. That is mainly due to the reasons listed above. 

However, some cases might pose a challenge in a tank that features both species. Consider the following:

1. Both Species Eat The Same Food

Food is the only major factor that can create animosity between Amano and Cherry shrimp in a well-maintained tank. Amano shrimp are omnivores, meaning that they require a blend of animal and plant matter. Cherry shrimp are the same. They need animal and plant matter in their diet.

Both creatures eat algae, biofilm, and the matter that plants shed. They can survive on the leftovers at the bottom. But if their aquarium doesn’t have enough algae, detritus, or leftovers, you must add enough food to keep them satisfied.

Why is this a problem? Amano shrimp are the best tank cleaners around. They have a voracious appetite for algae and various forms of dead and decaying matter. That appetite makes them possessive of their food.

If you have baby cherry shrimp, they may starve because the Amano shrimp keeps taking all the food and swimming away. Adult cherry shrimp may suffer the same fate. The absence of food will make the Amano shrimp a threat to the cherries.

2. Amano Shrimp Will Find It Hard To Breed

Breeding complicates things. It won’t generate hostility between the Amano shrimp and their cherry shrimp neighbors. But it can affect your decision to keep the two shrimp in the same place. 

Amano shrimp reproduce in brackish water. The larvae are fragile. They need brackish water to survive. If you don’t want your Amano shrimp to breed, this doesn’t matter. But if you want them to breed, you shouldn’t keep them in the same freshwater tank as the Cherry shrimp.

How To Make Amano Shrimp And Cherry Shrimp Coexist?

If your Amano Shrimp and Cherry Shrimp are acting aggressively towards one another, you can use these methods to control them:

1. Grow Your Shrimp In A Community Tank

In normal circumstances, Amano shrimp won’t eat Cherry shrimp. But if they are starving, they will eat anything they can find, including other shrimp. They can also do this if they do not get enough meat during mealtimes.

Amano shrimp eat algae, and so do cherry shrimp. But some tanks are bare. They don’t have enough algae to sate all the shrimp in their aquarium. The creatures need food from the outside: algae wafers, fish flakes, pellets, vegetables, and the like.

If your Amano shrimp are well-fed, they will leave the Cherry shrimp alone.

One way of preventing starvation in shrimp is to keep them in community tanks. The presence of fish will ensure that the tank has enough leftovers and detritus to keep the shrimp happy.

2. Avoid Overcrowding The Tank

Don’t overcrowd the aquarium. Overcrowding causes stress, and stress can cause shrimp to develop violent tendencies. Amano shrimp already have a reputation for being possessive with their food. 

If they are forced to live in cramped conditions, they may attack any cherry shrimp that cross their feeding spots. Overcrowding can occur because you have too many fish and shrimp. It can also occur because of an abundance of plants and decorations.

3. Introduce Enough Hiding Spots

Speaking of plants and decorations, you should add some to the aquarium. You have various types to choose from, including java fern, Cladophora, Egeria, and water sprite, to mention but a few.

The shrimp will use the plants and decorations to hide from bullies. Plants and decorations can also alleviate stress. I personally got the JIH Aquarium Fish Tank Decor Set. It is stunning and pretty affordable. You can buy it below:

4. Adjust The Aquarium Conditions

Maintain the right conditions in the tank. Like overcrowding, the wrong conditions will induce stress in your tank’s inhabitants. Amano shrimp are more likely to misbehave in a poorly maintained aquarium with dirty water and the wrong pH, hardness, and temperature.

You have to test the water with testing strips and kits to ensure that all the parameters fit the ranges that Amano and cherry shrimp require. 

I personally use the API Freshwater Master Kit. You can buy it below:

This bundle is the most accurate I’ve found so far. Within minutes, it will measure your pH, ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites.

In an aquarium that houses both Amano shrimp and Cherry shrimp, you should aim for these parameters:

• Temperature: 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit
• pH: 6.0-7.0
• Hardness: 6.0-8.0 dKH
• Nitrates: <20 ppm (parts per million)
• Nitrites and Ammonia: 0 ppm

You should know that shrimp require sponge filters. Also, make sure they have enough oxygen by adding powerheads, air stones, and air pumps. The devices will ensure that the oxygen is evenly distributed throughout the tank. 

I use the VIVOSUN Air Stone in my tank. This is probably the quietest device I’ve installed so far. Just place it in the middle of your tank, and the air stone will take care of the rest. You can buy it below:

Try to secure the largest tank possible (20 gallons or more). Most aquarists know that you have to carry out water changes every week to keep the tank clean. But they don’t realize that it is easier to maintain a large tank than a small one. 

Small tanks require more frequent water changes because the concentration of waste and toxins like ammonia spikes so quickly. Frequent water changes will cause stress in the shrimp. A large tank gives your fish more room to breathe because it dilutes the waste and toxins.

5. Choose The Proper Tankmates

I highly suggest surrounding the shrimp with friendly tankmates. Violent fish will agitate the Amano shrimp, making them more likely to attack the Cherry shrimp. 

As was noted before, the cherry shrimp are at a disadvantage because they are smaller. Some suitable tankmates include Blue Rams, Pearl Gourami, Mystery Snails, Vampire Shrimp, etc.

What Shrimp Can Live With Amano and Cherry Shrimp?

If you want to add more shrimp to a tank that has Amano and Cherry Shrimp, you have several options to choose from, including:

1. Ghost Shrimp

Ghost shrimp are excellent tankmates for Cherry shrimp.. They can also coexist with Amano shrimp. Like most shrimp, ghost shrimp are peaceful. They do not attack, antagonize, or intimidate other creatures in an aquarium.

2. Bamboo Shrimp

Bamboo shrimp are simple creatures that can grow to a size of 4 inches. They are larger than Amano shrimp, so you don’t have to worry about the Amano shrimp attacking them. But they are also peaceful. They won’t use their size to antagonize the cherry shrimp.

3. Vampire Shrimp

Vampire shrimp are large. They can grow to a size of 6 inches, which is impressive. They also have a strong shell. But despite their bulky bodies, they have a peaceful temperament that allows them to coexist with other peaceful creatures like Amano and Cherry Shrimp.

4. Blue Tiger Shrimp

Blue tiger shrimp have an average size of 1 inch. They are small, omnivorous shrimp whose peaceful temperament allows them to coexist with other peaceful creatures. Because they are aggressive eaters, they are less likely to permit Amano shrimp to take their food.