Snow Amano Shrimp are a colour-selectively bred line of the legendary Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) — the largest, most effective algae-cleaning shrimp in the freshwater hobby. Standard Amano shrimp are transparent-grey with a row of dotted or dashed brown lateral markings; this line has been selectively developed to produce clean white to snow-white body pigmentation — a near-opaque white that replaces the transparent grey of the wild-type entirely. Like all Amano shrimp they are substantially larger than Neocaridina — adults reach 3–5cm — and their size translates directly into cleaning capacity: a single adult Amano consumes more algae in a day than multiple Neocaridina. They graze green hair algae, thread algae, green dust algae, biofilm, and uneaten food from every surface continuously. Amano shrimp require brackish water to successfully breed — larvae cannot survive in freshwater — making them self-limiting in any freshwater setup. The population you introduce is the population you will always have unless more are added. Fully safe with all aquatic plants, snails, and Neocaridina shrimp.
6.5–7.5pH
6–14GH (dGH)
1–8KH (dKH)
65–78°FTemperature
What to Expect
Colour, Size & Cleaning Behaviour
Clean white to snow-white body — near-opaque and visually bold — the white colouration is substantially more opaque than the semi-transparent body of standard Amano shrimp, giving the Snow Amano a solid, clearly defined white body that reads as bold and graphic from across the tank. The characteristic Amano lateral markings are still faintly visible in well-lit conditions as slightly darker dots against the white base, adding subtle patterning that prevents the appearance from being entirely uniform.
Most visually striking against dark substrate and coloured plants — pure white body colouration produces maximum visual contrast against dark aquasoil, black sand, or dark-toned driftwood. Snow Amano in a tank with dark substrate and colourful plants — red Ludwigia, Purple Bacopa, or red-tinged Cryptocorynes — reads as the most graphically striking Amano colour available, the white bodies providing clear visual punctuation against the colour and texture of the planted background.
Significantly larger than Neocaridina — 3–5cm at maturity — adult Amano shrimp are three to five times the body mass of adult Neocaridina, which translates to proportionally greater algae consumption capacity, greater visibility in the tank, and a more commanding physical presence. They are large enough to be visually significant display animals as well as functional cleaning crew members.
Most effective algae cleaners in the catalog per individual — Amano shrimp consume green hair algae, thread algae, green dust algae, and biofilm with greater efficiency than any other shrimp or snail in the catalog per individual. They are the first choice for tanks with visible algae problems and a permanent asset in any planted tank where algae management is a priority.
Self-limiting population — cannot breed in freshwater — eggs are laid and hatched but larvae require brackish water to develop. In a freshwater tank all larvae die shortly after hatching. The Amano population is therefore permanently fixed at the number introduced — there is no population management required and no risk of overpopulation.
Peaceful with Neocaridina, snails, and non-aggressive fish — Amano shrimp coexist without conflict with all Neocaridina morphs, all snails in the catalog, and all non-aggressive fish species. They do not prey on Neocaridina at any life stage, though very small shrimplets of any species should have adequate hiding space in any mixed tank.
How to Set It Up
Getting Started
1Introduce to a fully cycled, stable tank — Amano shrimp are more sensitive to ammonia and nitrite than Neocaridina — introduce only to tanks with zero ammonia, zero nitrite, and stable parameters. A tank that has been running for at least four weeks with stable readings is the minimum.
2Drip acclimate over 45–60 minutes — Amano shrimp are sensitive to parameter shifts during acclimation. Drip acclimate slowly — one drop per second — over 45–60 minutes. Do not rush the transition. Add tank water to the transport bag gradually rather than transferring abruptly.
3Stock at one per 10 litres for effective algae control — for meaningful algae impact in a planted tank, stock at approximately one Amano per 10 litres. In tanks with persistent algae problems, higher stocking density produces faster and more thorough results. In well-maintained tanks with low algae pressure, supplement feeding with algae wafers or blanched vegetables to prevent hunger.
4Supplement with algae wafers in clean tanks — in well-maintained tanks where algae is minimal, supplement with half an algae wafer per three to five shrimp every two to three days. Hungry Amano shrimp may begin grazing plant tissue — supplementary feeding prevents this and keeps them in the tank foraging on substrate and hardscape rather than plant leaves.
💡 Bonus Tip
A group of Snow Amano shrimp against a dense background of Red Ludwigia on dark substrate is one of the most graphically bold combinations achievable in a planted freshwater tank — the pure white of the shrimp bodies against deep red-orange plant foliage and black substrate creates a three-way contrast of white, red, and black that reads as intentionally designed rather than assembled. Snow Amano are large enough that even a group of three or four produces significant visual impact in this kind of high-contrast planted setup.
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Browse more shrimpPair your Amano shrimp with Neocaridina, snails, or aquatic plants for a complete tank. Browse our Neocaridina Shrimp collection.
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