Snow Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

The Snow Amano Shrimp is a selectively bred white color form of the classic Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata). It is the same hardworking algae eater, just dressed in an opaque, snowy white shell instead of the usual see-through gray. Against dark substrate and green plants it stands out like nothing else in the cleanup crew, so you can actually watch it work. Beginner-friendly and completely peaceful, a small group grazes hair algae, soft green algae, biofilm, and leftovers across your plants, hardscape, and glass. Pair it with the rest of our freshwater cleanup crew, including the standard Amano Shrimp and the Sun Orange Amano.

Care Guide

• Algae control: a Snow Amano eats exactly like a standard Amano. Plan on roughly one shrimp per 2 gallons for steady grazing, and supplement with shrimp food once the algae runs out.
• Keep a group: add 3 or more. They are social and far bolder in numbers.
• Show off the color: a dark substrate such as Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum and plenty of green plants make the white pop.
• Stable water: add only to a fully cycled tank and acclimate slowly by drip. They are sensitive to ammonia, nitrite, and sudden swings.
• No copper: like all shrimp, they are killed by copper-based medications and copper-heavy fertilizers. Always check labels before dosing.
• Secure lid: Amanos can climb airline and cords, so keep the tank covered.
• Molting: they shed their shell as they grow. Leave the empty molt in the tank, since they often eat it back for calcium.

Specifications

Compatibility

Snow Amanos are peaceful and do best with calm freshwater tank mates.

• Great with: small peaceful community fish such as Ember Tetras, Neon Tetras, and Otocinclus; gentle centerpieces like the Honey Gourami; nerite snails; and other dwarf shrimp, including standard and Sun Orange Amanos for a mixed color group.
• Avoid: large or aggressive fish such as cichlids, big gouramis, and goldfish, plus anything large enough to treat a 2 inch shrimp as a snack. A white shrimp is easy for a predator to spot, too.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Shrimp Cuisine or Seachem NutriDiet Shrimp Flakes to supplement when algae runs low
• Galapagos Cholla Wood grows the biofilm shrimp love to graze
• Aquavitro Shrimp Hut gives them a safe place to molt and hide
• Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum, a dark substrate that makes white shrimp stand out
• Live aquarium plants for cover and extra grazing surface

FAQ

Will they stay white? Yes, this is a bred color line, not a temporary fade from diet or dim lighting. Like all shrimp, though, they can look grayer and more see-through for a day or two when stressed, right after a move, or around a molt. Once settled the opaque white returns.

How are they different from a regular Amano? Only in color. Care, diet, size, temperament, and algae eating are identical, so everything you know about Amano shrimp applies.

How many do I need? Plan on about one shrimp per 2 gallons for algae control, with a minimum group of 3.

Will they hurt my fish or plants? No. They are completely peaceful and do not damage healthy plants. They only graze algae, biofilm, and leftovers.

Can I breed them at home? It is very difficult. Amano larvae need brackish water to develop, so they will not multiply in a freshwater tank.