Ghost shrimp always has this tough personality with an ability to disappear and fool the hobbyist even when being right there. And, I don’t blame them. It is all about their clearish skin and their love for hiding. On the other side, Amano shrimp though looking alike to ghost shrimp are very hardworking and determined species whose love for algae is unmatchable. There is more to know before you house them.
Ghost shrimp and Amano shrimp both are known names in the aquarium world. They almost look identical with their translucent skin but, despite being an algae eater and omnivorous, these shrimp have some ground differences. From their appearance to nature, tankmates, lifespan to their diverse breeding behavior. They seem to be different than what we were told before!
Besides, there is always much to learn and know even when you feel, you know enough. It is never enough. Just like me, I am guessing you too love shrimp. And, probably have questions like, which shrimp should I pet? Then, let me help you with that by answering your possible questions.
Quick Overview On Ghost Shrimp (Glass Shrimp)
| Common Name | Ghost Shrimp |
| Genus | Palaemonetes paludosus |
| Size | 1 to ½ inches in length |
| Color | Clear transparent in color |
| Species | Freshwater shrimp |
| Origin | North America |
| Lifespan | 1 year |
| Conservation Status | Least concerned worldwide/ widely populated with a stable number. |
Quick Overview On Amano Shrimp (Yamato Shrimp)
| Common Name | Amano Shrimp |
| Genus | Caridina multidentata |
| Color | Crystal clear/ transparent in color and spotted on their back |
| Size | 1 inch long for male and 2 inches long for female |
| Species | Caridina multidentata |
| Origin | Japan (Yamato river) and Taiwan |
| Lifespan | 2 to 3 years |
| Conservation Status | Least concerned worldwide |
Ghost Shrimp Vs Amano Shrimp
Ghost Shrimp : ( Glass Shrimp)
Primarily known as one of the easiest species of freshwater shrimp, ghost shrimp has a unique, clear translucent body. The food can be seen making its way through the digestive system. You can see when they are eating clearly through your naked eyes.
Amano Shrimp : (World’s Best Algae Eater)
When I talk about shrimp, I make sure I start a conversation with Amano shrimp because I just love what it does to algae. The shrimp was not originally famous but it absolutely stole the limelight when Takashi Amano (father of modern-day aqua scaping) discovered the shrimp for the first time. Uniformly with his discovery, he brought the light to the significant and astonishing trait of the shrimp and that was eating algae off of a plant and a hardscape.
Appearance Of Ghost Shrimp VS Amano Shrimp
The first difference anyone notice is an appearance so, I will start the difference between Ghost shrimp and Amano shrimp on the basis of appearance.
Appearance Of Ghost Shrimp
Ghost shrimp are freshwater shrimp that is commonly known as glass shrimp or grass shrimp. The ghost shrimp have an oddly clear colored body so, the shrimp are almost invisible to naked eyes in clean water a lot of time.
Besides their color, they have a very tiny body from half inches long to 1 and a half inches in maximum for an adult size.
Appearance Of Amano Shrimp
Amano shrimp are popularly known as Yamato shrimp and Algae eating shrimp. Some even call them World’s best algae eater.
Moreover, Amano shrimp is this tiny translucent clearish dwarf shrimp. This shrimp is 1 to 2 inches long, a little larger than Ghost shrimp. Females (2 inches long) being larger than males (1 to ½ inches long).
Females have an entirely decorated body with colorful dashes (long dashes) and dots. And, the male has small circular dots evenly spaced out from each dot.
Ghost Shrimp Behavior VS Amano Shrimp Behavior
After the differences in appearance, we do know what these shrimp look like in real but do we know their behavior? Do they behave in a similar way or in a distinct way? Let’s find out!
Ghost Shrimp Behavior
Ghost shrimp, being small and defenseless, are easily harassed and consumed by larger fish. Generally, this shrimp is also known to be fed to the fishes and used as a feeder worldwide.
I take ghost shrimp as a peace lover as they do not invite any fight at first with other species. But there is an exception as if you are adding new species in your aquarium or adding your shrimp in an established tank then, please keep an eye on them to make sure they are getting along with each other.
Furthermore, they do not care about anything but food. The shrimp is only aggressive when it comes to getting food. Otherwise, you will find them either floating around while separating algae off your tank.
At times, your ghost shrimp might swim frequently and fast. At that time, check the water level for ammonia or nitrates. After all, swimming like that is a sign of stress and is not a good sign for you or your shrimp.
To sum up, they are one of the sensitive shrimp.
Amano Shrimp Behavior
On the other hand, Amano shrimp is a self- boss. Meaning, they can survive on their own with 3-4 of their friends and food (Algae tops the list).
Just like ghost shrimp, Amano shrimp are also greedy when it comes to food. That is why scattering the food all along the aquarium is always suggested. Even so, Amano shrimp will never hurt any species intentionally but with Ghost shrimp hurting or dominating smaller species might happen.
This shrimp will always mind their own business and they are a very active species. You will always see them either clearing the algae, eating leftover food, or cleaning plants but, never still. They are constantly working and they will do their work wholeheartedly.
Plus, they love ghosting around. Infrequently, You will see all of your shrimp in the aquarium, and sometimes you will not see even one. Yes, this happens and this will happen pretty often.
On top of everything, Amano shrimp are considered peaceful and friendly shrimp when it comes to keeping them in your aquarium.
Tank Setup For Ghost Shrimp VS Amano Shrimp
Even though, Ghost shrimp and Amano shrimp share most of the traits and behavior there are few changes in setting their tank which is described below:
You might like to read more about Can Shrimp Live In Cold Water?
Tank Setup For Ghost Shrimp
First of all, Ghost shrimp being a tiny creature does not require a large tank but despite this, there are few things to consider while setting their tank and they are:
Tank Size
Keeping Ghost shrimp size in mind, you do not need a huge tank for them. If you are planning to house only a group of ghost shrimp then 10 gallons of the tank would be enough. Even if not, you can house them in up to 50 gallons of the tank with friendly species.
Supposedly, you are trying to breed them then, the recommended tank is a minimum of 5 gallons. Assuming you only have a bigger aquarium then, remember bigger is always better. A bigger tank gives you the power to control the water quality.
Tank Decoration For Ghost Shrimp
For decoration, you can decorate with whatever suits your mood. Anyway, try more natural stuff to create a healthy environment such as plants, rocks, and sand.
Yes, ghost shrimp love hiding and ghosting as its name suggests. So, adding caves and natural stones are always trendy and useful.
Tank Lighting For Ghost Shrimp
To be honest, Light is not mandatory if it is only for your shrimp. There is no such thing as you must put on some lighting and colors. Your ghost shrimp will stay healthy and fine with or without extra light. Putting light around some live plants and wrapping dim fairy lights around Shrimp’s hiding spots is always a great idea.
Tank Setup For Amano Shrimp
On the other hand, Amano shrimp has some rules while setting their tank and they are:
Tank Size For Amano Shrimp
The general rule I have heard is one Amano shrimp for every 2 gallons. I have housed 6 shrimp in my 20 gallons of the tank.
Similarly, Amano shrimp does not like small spaces and are fond of a bit spacious area. So, the minimum tank size for Amano would be 10 gallons of the tank.
Tank Decoration For Amano Shrimp
Decorating your tank is your choice. Just like ghost shrimp, these shrimp enjoy hiding spots and natural live plants.
Tank Lighting For Amano Shrimp
Even for Amano shrimp lightening is not required. But, for your refreshment, you can put light on the filter, and a few candles here and there outside your tank.
Tankmates of Ghost shrimp VS Amano Shrimp
Considering the tiny size and behavior of both Ghost shrimp and Amano shrimp, any small-sized invertebrates who are friendly in nature are recommended to keep together in the same tank.
Ghost Shrimp Are Compatible With
Invertebrates whose mouths are not large enough to eat Ghost shrimp can be housed together with them. Some of the advisable mates are:
- Hatchetfish
- Cory Catfish
- Danios
- Kuhli Loaches
- Zebra Loaches
- Cherry Shrimp
- Amano Shrimp
- Bamboo Shrimp
- Vampire Shrimp
- Small Catfish
- Freshwater Snails and
- Otocinclus Catfish
Ghost Shrimp Are Non- Compatible With
Despite the size of betta, I once caught betta and ghost shrimp having a problem. So, I do not recommend you to put them together.
Also, my list of non-compatible species for ghost shrimp are:
- Cichlids
- Bettas
Amano Shrimp Are Compatible With
Amano shrimp are peace-oriented shrimp. Due to this, it is natural for them to be around the species which shares the same trait.
However, Amano shrimp is suggested to be housed with the following species :
- Guppies
- Trumpet Fish
- Nano Fish
- Cherry Shrimp
- Lemon Tetras
- Black Neon Tetra
- Dwarf Rainbow Neon Tetra
- Malaysian Snails
- Mystery Snails and
- Nerite Snails
Amano Shrimp Are Non-compatible with
Generally, larger predatory fish such as cichlids or the Oscars cannot fit with Amano shrimp together. They are also incompatible with larger invertebrates such as:
- Goldfish
- Polka Dots Botias
- Cichlids
- Bettas
- Large Plecos and
- Clown Loaches
Diet Of Ghost Shrimp VS Amano Shrimp
Apart from algae, there is a slight difference in the diet between Ghost shrimp and Amano shrimp which are discussed below:
Diet of Ghost Shrimp
Ghost shrimp are natural scavenger feeders and will accept a wide variety of foods. Because of their size, which is tiny, they can’t feed on other fish but will eat absolutely anything from frozen food to fish poop.
Having said that, sometimes, the shrimp won’t eat for days or two during their initial days of getting introduced to a captive environment. But, after they adjust themselves to the environment, they will show every nature of an omnivorous animal.
Furthermore, You will see ghost shrimp swimming from one corner to another grazing on edible stuff. If you have mixed these shrimp with fish then feeding them once a day would be nice. And, if you have housed a large group of ghost shrimp then, feeding them once every two days is recommended.
Keeping all this in mind, you can always add healthy and amazing food supplementation to their diet which includes:
- Algae wafer
- Frozen bloodworms
- Shrimp pellets
- Small fish
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Flake food
- Mosquito larvae
- Squid
- Indian almond leaves
- Spirulina
- Balanced vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, cucumber, and romaine
- Globs of algae
- Dead plant latter
You might have questions as How much food to provide? Or in what quantity? Following that, remember their tiny size. Well, this will be based on how many shrimp you have or want to have.
Adding on that, the algae in your tank will also help you decide on the quantity of food. If your tank is independent of algae then one algae wafer for a group of four ghost shrimp is recommended. You need to feed the shrimp considering their young and adult counterparts.
Diet Of Amano Shrimp
Amano shrimp are best known for eating and cleaning algae. They enjoy every alga such as hair algae, brush algae, string algae, and even black beard algae. Basically, they are obsessed with algae. Therefore, You cannot feed them too well or, they will ignore the algae in your aquarium.
Similarly, as an omnivorous and aggressive eater, every edible thing is food for Amano shrimp. I mean, put anything on a tank and, they will immediately snatch the food. Just like that, they will out-compete the other fish of your aquarium.
Moreover, you need to scatter food in little pieces all along with the aquarium so that all of your fish get the food. Afterward, remove the access food from the aquarium to prevent ammonia spikes.
Correspondingly, if your aquarium is large and has a pretty huge amount of algae, then little supplementation of extra food would be enough. If your aquarium is small and clean with occasional algae here and there, then your shrimp will need a significant amount of food supplementation.
Likewise, for supplementation you can provide the following food:
- Crab cuisine
- Dry flakes
- Dry spinach
- Algae wafers
- Fish pellets
- Moss balls
- Zucchini and
- Dry pellets
Breeding Ghost Shrimp VS Amano Shrimp
Naturally, Ghost shrimp are breeders whether in the captive environment or in a natural environment likewise, Amano shrimp only breed in the natural environment. But, the question is, are these shrimp easy to breed?
Are Ghost Shrimp Easy To Breed?
Ghost shrimp are very easy to breed and can lay up to 30 eggs at a time which will take approximately three weeks.
Raise the temperature in the aquarium to around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperature will contribute to increasing their metabolism and help them breeding. However, feeding them is equally important.
Note to Remember: Always check your water parameter for better and faster breeding.
Are Amano Shrimp Easy To Breed?
On the contrary, Amano shrimp are very difficult to breed in a captive environment. Besides, breeding is almost impossible because the larvae require saltwater and you have to slowly step it up to freshwater when the larvae are growing into an adult.
Difficult breeding is one of the reasons for their rareness and expensiveness. However, with time and patience, breeding Amano shrimp on your tank is possible.
Differentiate Between Ghost Shrimp And Amano Shrimp
Differences Based On Name, Origin, Appearance, Cost, Care Level
| The difference based on | Ghost Shrimp | Amano Shrimp |
| Scientific name | Ghost shrimp are scientifically known as Palaemonetes paludosus | Amano shrimp are commonly known as Caridena Multidentata |
| Common name | Due to the transparent body of ghost shrimp, they are commonly known as glass shrimp. | There is nothing in this world Amano loves to eat as much as algae, so they are commonly known as ‘The Algae Eater’. |
| Origin | Ghost shrimp are native to southern US water bodies. | Amano shrimp is native to several Asian countries as Japan, Korea, Taiwan but majorly in Japan and Thailand. |
| Appearance | Ghost shrimp are typically clear and translucent shrimp. You can pretty much see when they are eating to what they are eating. | Amano Shrimp are translucent clearish dwarf shrimp. They have little brown dashes or dots running horizontally along their body. |
| Cost | Ghost shrimp are popular due to their low price. Usually, these shrimp will cost you 20 to 50 cents each. | Amano Shrimp are pretty expensive when compared with Ghost shrimp. Normally, these shrimp can cost you 3$ to 6$ depending on their availability and demand worldwide. |
| Care level | The care level for Ghost shrimp is easy unless you want to house some big-mouth species in the same aquarium. | The care level for Amano shrimp depends on the tank environment that you will be providing. Else, Amano shrimp are pretty easy to care for. |
| Lifespan | Ghost shrimp will averagely live from about 6 to 14 months in an aquarium. Yet, with a constant environment, they can live up to 2 years. | The average lifespan of Amano shrimp is 2 years. But, some live up to 3 or even 4 years. |
The Differences Based On Nature, Body Structure, Size, PH Level, Breeding, And Larvae Development.
| The differences based on | Ghost shrimp | Amano shrimp |
| Nature | Ghost shrimp are little dominant to smaller fish and can attack weaker fish. And are small and defenseless among the larger fish. Otherwise, they enjoy their peacetime. | Amano shrimp are peace lovers! They will float here and there, keep on eating their food: algae, or clean the tank around. |
| Body structure | Ghost shrimp have bigger claws with a little elongated body. | On the contrary, Amano shrimp have shorter claws with a less elongated body. |
| Size | Ghost shrimp is a small-sized crustacean as they only get to be about one to one and a half inches long. | Amano shrimp grows up to 2 inches long in size and sometimes even more. |
| PH level and the temperature | Ghost shrimp can tolerate around 65-85°F (18-29°C) with PH level around 7.0 to 8.0 | Amano shrimp will survive anywhere from 7.0 to 8.5 PH level. Similarly, for the temperature, 65 degrees to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Breeding | It is extremely easy to breed ghost shrimp. | On the other side, Amano shrimp are hard to breed. And, they only breed in certain specific conditions and environments. |
| Larvae development | Ghost shrimp larvae require freshwater sources for further development into an adult stage. | For the Amano larvae to develop, they require salt water to grow and survive in an artificial environment (aquarium/tank). Quick tips: Amano shrimp are fond of hard water. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Ghost Shrimp Eat Poop?
Yes, ghost shrimp do eat poop and, by poop, No, we are not talking about humans poop. Here, we are talking about fish and other aquatic animal poop.
As ghost shrimp in your aquarium will eat whatever is inside the aquarium and, do not forget these shrimp love food like anything else. And, inside your aquarium will be some leftover food, fish poop, and little algae.
Can Ghost Shrimp Survive out of water?
I would say ghost shrimp will survive out of the water only for a few seconds. But, this does not mean you can take them out frequently.
Why Do Ghost Shrimp Die So Fast?
Apart from their lifespan, here are few reasons why these shrimp die fast before reaching their limit :
Firstly, let me begin with the water parameters. The water temperature, the low oxygen level in the water, high or low calcium in the water, unfiltered tank, and high level of ammonia will kill your shrimp.
Secondly, when you are adding baby/ adult ghost shrimp in an established tank due to the fixed and stable environment. It will be hard for your shrimp to adopt the new environment suddenly which will kill your shrimp.
And, finally, larger species and big-mouthed fish are a threat to your shrimp. These fish will attack them constantly and some even feed on them. So, before mixing new species or your shrimp into your aquarium do your research beforehand.
How Quickly Do Amano Shrimp Grow?
Amano shrimp have their life cycle starting from Ovigerous to shrimplets, shrimplets to Juvenile, and Juvenile to adult in 15 days. The whole process takes nearly about 3-5 months if everything goes right from water parameters to feeding and protecting the fry from larger and hungry fish.
It takes 5 weeks to hatch the egg and to turn into an adult nearly 5 months.
How Many Amano Shrimp Should I Keep Together?
The general rule I know for Amano shrimp is One shrimp for every two gallons. Although, this is your independent choice. Even so, make sure your aquarium is spacious enough for them to feel free and home.
However, there is no possibility of housing just 1 or 2 shrimp because that will not be enough for clearing algae or breeding. Hence, a group of shrimp is always recommended. You can start from 6-12 of these shrimp to make it effective and satisfying for both of you ( you and your shrimp family).
How Do I Know The Gender Of Amano Shrimp?
The most visible difference you will know is that your females are significantly larger than the male Amano shrimp when they reach their maturity.
Unlike ghost shrimp, Amano shrimp has dashes and dots on their exoskeleton. The dots on the female will be again larger as long dashes with an elongated body. Considering that, the male has evenly spaced out dots, appearing more like circular dots.
So, if you look carefully, it will take 5-10 seconds to know their gender.
Conclusion
I am a huge fan of Amano shrimp. Why? Because they do not care about anything around and will do their job that is cleaning algae and preventing the involvement of ammonia in the aquarium water. Adding to that, Amano keeps cleaning the aquarium constantly like there is no tomorrow. I love their spirit. I mean, they are super active and very determined species. Similarly, they will play hide and seek with you like they will disappear and reappear out of nowhere. And, I find this very interesting about them.
Having said that, I do not have hard feelings regarding Ghost shrimp. It’s just Amano Shrimp is better and a blessing for every fish enthusiasts out there.
