organism
Cherry shrimp vs amano shrimp
Which dwarf shrimp for a planted community tank?
Short answer
Cherry shrimp breed in fresh water and will build a colony; amano shrimp will not, but they are twice the size, far better at eating algae, and large enough that most community fish leave them alone.
Side by side
| Dimension | Cherry shrimp | Amano shrimp | Favours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 2.5–4 cm | 4–5 cm | Amano shrimp |
| Breeds in fresh water | Yes | No — larvae need brackish water | Cherry shrimp |
| Algae eating | Modest | Excellent, including hair algae | Amano shrimp |
| Colour | Red, yellow, blue, orange strains | Translucent grey-brown | Cherry shrimp |
| Safe from community fish | Only from very small fish | From most community fish | Amano shrimp |
| Source | Captive-bred | Mostly wild-caught | Cherry shrimp |
| Copper sensitivity | Extreme | Extreme | Neither |
| Cost per animal | Low | Higher | Cherry shrimp |
Which to choose
Cherry shrimp
Choose cherry shrimp if you want a self-sustaining colony and a shrimp-safe tank, and if colour matters.
Amano shrimp
Choose amano shrimp if you want algae control in a tank containing fish that would eat cherry shrimp.
One caveat
Mixing colour strains of Neocaridina produces wild-type brown offspring within a few generations. Keep one colour per tank if you want the colour to persist.