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{{Fish Data 
  |name = Amano Shrimp
  |image = Amano_Shrimp.jpg
  |caption = Amano Shrimp
  |species = Caridina multidentata
  |difficulty = M
  |min_tank_size = 5
  |min_tank_size_unit =gal
  |max_size = 2
  |min_size = 1.5
  |size_units = in
  |min_ph = 6.0
  |max_ph = 7.5
  |min_temperature = 64
  |max_temperature = 81
  |temperature_units = F
  |min_water_hardness = 6
  |max_water_hardness = 10
  |stocking_ratio_female = 1
  |stocking_ratio_male = 1
  |availability = U
  |diet = O
  |food_pellet = 0
  |food_flake = 1
  |food_live = 0
  |food_other = 1
  |min_life_span = 1
  |max_life_span = 3
  |min_sg = 1
  |max_sg = 1.015
  |habitat = Asia
  |captive_bred = 1
}}


==Alternative names==
:Amano Shrimp, {{cn|Algae-eating Shrimp}}, {{cn|Yamato Shrimp}}, {{cn|Japonica Shrimp}}, {{cn|Algae Shrimp}}, {{cn|Japanese Swamp Shrimp}}, {{cn|Japanese Marsh Shrimp}}, {{cn|Amamoto Shrimp}}, {{cn|Yamato Numaebi}}

=== Scientific Names ===
:''[[Caridina japonica]]'' was its senior synonym until September 2006 <ref>[http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1078 PFK Website News Item] Matt Clarke, 21/9/2006</ref>.

== Sexing ==
:The male has a row of distinct dots along its lower side. The female has this row as more of a broken line, and is also slightly bigger. See picture below.

== Breeding ==
:To breed these shrimp, salt water conditions are required for their fry (or [[zoes]] as is their correct name) as well as special feeding. Breeding of this species is considered fairly difficult as the zoes need to be gradually introduced to salt water and then back to freshwater. See external link below.

:Several aquarists have claimed to breed this species in freshwater <ref>[http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=23924 PDF online forum 'Breeding Amano Shrimps'] - August 2008. Aquarist [http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/member.php?u=6101 Fishyfeet]</ref>. But as yet there is no definitive evidence to this. One shrimp taxonomist [[Werner Klotz]] has postulated that perhaps 1 in 100,000 zoes may survive to adulthood in freshwater if the water chemistry is hard enough and this may be what aquarists have been seeing.<ref>[http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/blog.php?blogid=197 PFK online Aug 2008] - Can Amano shrimp breed in freshwater? by Matt Clarke</ref>

== Environment Specifics ==
:The Amano Shrimp prefers planted aquariums. Slightly soft (GH 6-10dh) water is preferred (if the GH is too low they can't make their [[carapace]]). They are extremely sensitive to [[ammonia]] and an excess of [[nitrate]], and as such should only be added to a cycled tank. A small level of [[Iodine]] in the water is probably recommend to help them moult. This can be supplied via normal fish food or via typical health food shop Kelp tablets.

:This shrimp is not sensitive to [[nitrite]] levels due to the nature of their blood chemistry.<ref>[[PFK]] magazine, Issue 1/January 2008, page 60 by Chris Lukhaup and [[Werner Klotz]]</ref> 
*Like most shrimp any presence of [[Copper]] in the water (bar background traces) will kill them.

:A tank of at least {{L|10|19}} is considered the minimum and you can stock around one Shrimp per {{L|3|5}} in that.<ref>[[PFK]] magazine, Issue7/July 2008, Page 22 by George Farmer</ref>

== Behaviour ==
:These shrimp are diligent consumers of algae, and are one of the few species available which will consume [[Black Brush Algae|black brush algae]], a particularly troublesome form of [[Red Algae|red algae]]. It should be noted, however, that they generally prefer fish food to algae, and will only resort to the latter if the former is unavailable. Also, due to their small size, a large number of them may have to be employed to make a serious impact.

:If you see your shrimps at the surface a lot then this is probably due to lack of oxygen or high nitrate levels.

:Approximately once a month (depending on diet, age, and environmental factors), the shrimp will moult. During this time, the shrimp will seek out a place to hide while its new shell hardens, for safety reasons. Many inexperienced aquarists jump to conclusions, assuming their unseen shrimp to have been eaten; these fears are short lived however, as they usually reappear after a few days.

== Pictures ==
<gallery>
Image:Caridina_japonica.jpg|Amano shrimp in an Aquarium
Image:Caridina_Japonica1.jpg|Young Amano shrimp in an Aquarium
Image:Caridina_Japonica2.jpg|Amano shrimp In an Aquarium
Image:Caridina_Japonica3.jpg|Mature female Amano shrimp
Image:algaeshrimp.JPG|Mature shrimp
Image:Caridina_japonica4.jpg|Closeup of the female Amano shrimp
Image:Caridina_Japonica5.jpg|Closeup of two Male Amano shrimps. Note markings on tail
Image:Caridina_Japonica6.jpg|Closeup of a mature female Amano shrimp
Image:Caridiniaberry.JPG|Closeup of a female in berry
Image:Caridiniaplay.JPG|Closeup of male and female at play about 10 days prior to female in berry, note that she bucked two other males off consistently and let this one play.
Image:Amanoshrimplrg.jpg|Amano Shrimp with Algae
</gallery>

==Videos==

{|
|-
|<googlevideo>-7703744637391125544</googlevideo>||<googlevideo>-3940132345711938585</googlevideo>
|-
|Amano in a community tank||Pregnant female Amano 
|-
|}
<br style="clear:both;"/>
{|
|-
|<youtube>x23L7BoFZPs</youtube>
|-
|Typical pair of adult shrimps in a tank
|-
|}
<br style="clear:both;"/>
{|
|-
|<youtube>YwoqN6U0Tyk</youtube>||<youtube>R9P0b_dkH0s</youtube>
|-
|6 day old Zoes||23 day old Zoes
|-
|}
<br style="clear:both;"/>

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caridina_japonica Wikipedia on Caridina japonica]
*[http://mikes-machine.mine.nu/breeding_yamato.htm Breeding Caridina j.]
*[http://caridina.japonica.online.fr/English/index.html Caridina.japonica.online]
*[http://www.caridinajaponica.de/index.htm caridinajaponica.de]
*[http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/shrimp.html#25 The Krib Advice]
*[http://www.petshrimp.com/ Pet Shrimp]
*[http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1078 Amano shrimp gets new name]

Mailing lists and forums for further discussion on these shrimps can be found:<br>
*[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreshwaterShrimp/ Yahoo Group Freshwater Shrimp]
*[http://www.shrimpnow.com/ Shrimp Now]

==Commercial Sellers==
*[http://www.theshrimpspot.com The Shrimp Spot] - Worldwide Seller of Shrimps
*[http://www.planetinverts.com/store Planet Inverts.com Shrimp Store] - USA Seller of Shrimps
*[http://www.franksaquarium.com/ Franks Aquarium] - USA Seller of Shrimps
*[http://www.petshrimp.com/redcherryshrimp.html PetShrimp] - USA Seller of Shrimps
*[http://www.azgardens.com/shrimpfactory.php The Shrimp Factory]
*[http://www.theshrimpfarm.com/ TheShrimpFarm.com] - USA Seller of Shrimps
*[http://www.shrimpfanatics.com/ Shrimpfanatics] - Worldwide freshwater shrimp store
*[[Aqua Essentials]] - A UK store


[[Category:Invertebrates (Freshwater)]]
[[Category:Invertebrates (Brackish)]]
[[Category:Shrimp (Freshwater)]]
[[Category:Algae Eaters]]