Amano Shrimp tank mates
The best algae-eating shrimp in the hobby. Grows to 5 cm, largely predator-resistant at adult size, and does not breed in freshwater. Reliable long-term.
Common mistakeBuying two amano shrimp for algae control is the under-stocking error that disappoints every month. Five or more are needed for meaningful algae impact in a typical planted tank, and they still need supplemental food when the glass finally goes clear. A pair is a display idea, not an algae crew.
Each name below opens a pair check with Amano Shrimp. That check is the decision, not the list itself.
Usually safer companions
Conservative shortlist from this profile. Open a pair page before you buy.
The Amano Shrimp profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Amano Shrimp profile lists Otocinclus as both safe and a recommended pairing. Otocinclus schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Risky or situational
May work with more water, a mature system, or a species-only setup. Read the pair page before you experiment.
Betta is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Amano Shrimp. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Tiger Barb is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Amano Shrimp. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Fish to avoid with Amano Shrimp
Predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile. Treat these as poor default mixes.
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory. Amano Shrimp at 5cm is prey-sized for it. Jack Dempsey needs at least 200L, far above the 40L minimum for Amano Shrimp. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive and Amano Shrimp is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Amano Shrimp at 5cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 40L minimum for Amano Shrimp. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Amano Shrimp is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for Amano Shrimp: 40L. Group minimum 3 .
- Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other. That is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
- Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 40L hub.
Plan before you buy
Start a pair check with Amano Shrimp, or open a starter plan with the top safer companions in the builder.
Tank hubs: 40L
Related reading
Guides that list other fish with the same trait, so you can plan around the group rather than one row.
- Schooling & group fish →
Plan the group of 3+ before choosing tank mates.
- Beginner-friendly freshwater fish →
Amano Shrimp is on this list. Hardier options for a first stock.
- Peaceful community fish →
Other peaceful species to shortlist beside Amano Shrimp.
Filtration & heating
A 40L minimum tank for Amano Shrimp needs a filter rated for at least 160L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 20–28°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- Ghost Shrimp · min 40L
- Mystery Snail · min 40L
- Assassin Snail · min 30L
- Blue Dream Shrimp · min 20L
- Cherry Shrimp · min 20L
- Malaysian Trumpet Snail · min 20L
- Nerite Snail · min 20L
- Bamboo Shrimp · min 80L
Related (care + temperament)
Other species that list Amano Shrimp
Reverse lookup: these profiles reference Amano Shrimp under safe or “best with” lists.
Featured compatibility checks
Curated pair pages for Amano Shrimp. Each opens a full verdict — not just a list label.
Amano Shrimp tank mates — quick answers
- What fish can live with Amano Shrimp?
- Usually safer companions on this hub include Corydoras Catfish, Otocinclus. Open each pair check before you buy — the list is a shortlist, not a guarantee.
- What tank mates should you avoid with Amano Shrimp?
- Avoid Jack Dempsey, Oscar based on size, temperament, or predation risk on this profile.
- What size tank do Amano Shrimp need for a community?
- 40 litres covers a small working group, but the real sizing rule is grazing area — an amano crew is only as useful as the surfaces it can patrol. In 50 litres and up, five or six keep ahead of soft algae in a planted layout.