10 Amano Shrimp Tank Mates

Amano Shrimp are sweet little critters with a big appetite for algae. This shrimp species is a good addition to a community tank. Besides algae, Amanos also chomp down on decaying plant matter, food leftovers, and even dead fish. They keep the tank clean and contribute a lot to the general health of the aquarium.

However, not all tank mates are suitable for them. If you want to create a mixed species community tank, you’ll have to pay close attention to the tank mates you choose.

Sadly, Amanos are quite small, growing up to 2 inches at most. They’re also very peaceful and have no means of defending themselves against aggressive predators.

To save your Amano Shrimp from becoming a tasty meal, you’ll have to look for small or similar-sized fish. It also helps if the fish species you choose are herbivorous or top-layer swimmers, but this isn’t a must. However, all the tank mates you choose must be peaceful.

Besides size, personality, diet, and tank level, I also recommend considering the species’ space requirements.

Amano Shrimp need 2 gallons worth of tank space each. If you have a small tank, consider species with similar space requirements. And of course, let’s not forget water parameters!

Amano Shrimp thrive in 70-80°F, 6.0-7.0 pH, and 6-8 dGH water.

Their tankmates must have similar water parameters to stay healthy in an Amano aquarium. Considering all of these factors, here’s a list of the most suitable Amano Shrimp tank mates!

1. Guppies

Guppies are perhaps the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. And for multiple good reasons! They’re hardy and easy to care for. This makes them suitable even for beginner fishkeepers. They also have fun and mild personalities, so they’re a perfect addition to any community tank.

And let’s not forget the huge variety of colors, patterns, and beautiful tail shapes you can find in this species. You can find some of the most colorful and eye-catching specimens for as little as $4-6. Guppies are also widely available in any pet store, so you won’t have to look far to find some.

I think Guppies are one of the best tank mates for Amanos. But don’t take my word for it. Just take a look at their species profile, and see how for yourself!

• Personality: Guppies are some of the calmest and friendliest fish you can find. They’re not known to cause trouble in the aquarium. They get along well with all peaceful species, including other fish, and shrimp as well!

Guppies are also curious, playful, and highly sociable. They spend most of their time swimming in schools with other Guppies. Aggressiveness is not a common trait in Guppies, but these fish like playing by chasing each other and other fish around.

• Size: Guppies are small. They grow up to 2.4 inches at most. They’re certainly not big enough to accidentally inhale Amanos when swimming around.

Sometimes, Guppies might stop growing once they reach 0.6 inches in length. You won’t have to worry about any dangerous size differences between the two species.

• Space Requirements: Guppies should be kept in groups of at least 3. For that many fish, you’ll need around 5 gallons, plus one additional gallon for each extra Guppy fish. Friendly, small, and space-economical! Talk about a triple threat!
• Tank Level: Guppies don’t have a special self-proclaimed tank level. They swim all over to feed and explore. But you’ll commonly see them in the top layers, closest to the surface.
• Diet: Guppies are omnivorous. They’ll eat a variety of foods and anything small enough to fit in their mouths. Luckily, Amanos don’t fit the bill. You should feed them a varied diet, rotating between fish flakes, frozen foods, algae wafers, and cooked veggies.
• Water Parameters: Guppies require temperatures around 74–82°F. The pH should be 6.8–7.6, and water hardness can range between 8–12 dGH.

2. Mollies

Mollies are another nice addition to a community aquarium. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including white, black, silver, orange, red, dalmatian, and sailfin. Some species also have interesting body shapes, such as the Lyretail and the Balloon mollies.

Mollies are highly adaptable to most water conditions, so they’ll feel at home in an Amano Shrimp tank. They’re also widely accessible in most stores. You can buy a single fish for as little as $2, although some varieties can cost up to $8. There are many reasons why this species is highly compatible with Amanos. Let’s take a look:

• Personality: Mollies are calm and peaceful fish. They’re also a sociable species that prefers swimming in schools of 4 or more fish. They get along well with all equally peaceful species.

It’s highly unlikely that they’ll cause trouble for the Amanos in the tank. Mollies can also be shy, so they’ll spend plenty of time hiding when you first add them to the tank.

• Size: Mollies grow up to 3.5-4.5 inches in length. There’s a considerable size difference between Amanos and Mollies, but don’t worry about it just yet! It’s unlikely that the two species will interact much in the tank.

If you’re still afraid that Amanos might be a bit too small, just know that Mollies prefer feeding at the surface of the water. It’s unlikely for them to venture down to chase after the shrimp.

• Space Requirements: You’ll need at least 10 gallons for a group of four fish, plus 3 extra gallons for each additional fish.
• Tank Level: In the wild, Mollies inhabit shallow bodies of water. For this reason, they swim mostly in the top layers of the aquarium. That’s also where they feed. For this reason, your Amanos and Mollies won’t interact very often.
• Diet: This is an omnivorous species with a preference for algae. You should feed them algae wafers quite often. The leftovers that make it to the bottom of the tank will also feed the Amanos. Win-win!

Mollies also need fish flakes and the occasional frozen or fresh serving of bloodworm and brine shrimp.

• Water Parameters: Accommodating Mollies in an Amano tank won’t be a problem. Mollies can live in 72–78°F temperatures, 7.0–8.5 pH, and 15–30 dGH. They’re quite hardy but can also tolerate lower hardness levels.

3. Pearl Gourami

The beautiful white spots give this fish a unique appearance like it’s wearing a thin veil. They’ll certainly steal the spotlight in any aquarium. But Pearl Gouramis are a bit tricky to look after. For this reason, I’d say they’re best suited for more experienced fishkeepers.

Like the other two fish we’ve discussed so far, Pearl Gouramis are easily accessible and you won’t have to break the bank to adopt some. You can buy one fish for around $5. Thanks to their attributes, they also make excellent Amano Shrimp tank mates. Here’s a short species profile:

• Personality: As you’d expect, Pearl Gouramis are peaceful fish. They’re mostly harmless but tend to get a little territorial during breeding. Other than that, it’s highly unlikely they’ll cause trouble in the tank.
• Size: These fish are on the larger side, growing up to 4-5 inches. Don’t worry about it though, because Gouramis will spend most of their time away from Amanos in the aquarium.
• Space Requirements: On average, each Pearl Gourami requires at least 6 gallons worth of aquarium space. You’ll need 24-30 gallons to house a group of 4-5 fish. However, Gouramis can also live alone. Despite their sociable nature, they do pretty well when kept by themselves.
• Tank Level: Pearl Gouramis swim in the mid and top levels of the aquarium. They only rarely venture down to explore. So, your Amanos will be in safe company!
• Diet: This species is omnivorous. The fish will eat virtually anything you offer them, so you don’t need to worry too much about their diet. High-quality fish flakes can be a staple. Remember to supplement with the occasional dried foods and veg.
• Water Parameters: Like other tropical fish, Pearl Gouramis need warm water with a close-to-neutral pH. Stick to temperatures around 77-82°F and a pH between 6.0-8.0. The water hardness should be 5-15 dGH.

4. Harlequin Rasboras

Harlequin Rasboras are calm and low-maintenance. They’re very easy to add to a community aquarium. They also have an interesting look thanks to the black patch on their bodies. Their appearance really shines when the fish shoal and swim together. Curious about how compatible they’re with Amanos? Here’s their species profile:

• Personality: Harlequin Rasboras are calm and peaceful. They’re perfect for community tanks, as they get along well with similar-tempered species. They never cause trouble or bully their tank mates. When faced with aggressive tank mates, Rasboras become shy and spend a lot of time hiding.

This fish is also highly sociable. Rasboras feel most comfortable when kept in a group. Amanos and Rasboras are a good match-up, given their similar personalities.

• Size: This fish grows up to 2 inches at most. They’re roughly the same size as Amanos. Talk about a match made in heaven! Given their size similarity, your Amanos will be in safe conditions.
• Space Requirements: The good news don’t stop coming! You see, Harlequin Rasboras are a very space-economical addition to your tank.

You’ll need just one gallon worth of aquarium space for each two fish. So, you’ll need around 5 gallons for a group of 10.

• Tank Level: Harlequin Rasboras are predominantly middle-layer swimmers. They seldom travel to the substrate or the surface. So, the shrimp and fish species won’t often meet in the aquarium.
• Diet: This fish is omnivorous. In theory, Rasboras can eat anything. But you’ll need to ensure the food is portioned small enough because this fish has a very small mouth.

I recommend a combination of high-quality flakes and algae wafers. Some chopped-up frozen foods also make a great treat.

• Water Parameters: Aim for 72-81°F temperatures, 6.0-7.8 pH, and 2-15 dGH.

5. Neon Tetras

Neon Tetras are colorful, hardy, low-maintenance, and widely accessible! You can buy a group of six for a little under $20-30, depending on the store. Their blue and red vertical stripes create a sharp contrast that will catch all the attention in the aquarium. Here’s how they compare to Amano Shrimp:

• Personality: Neon Tetras are sociable and peaceful. They spend most of their time in shoals, rarely interacting with other tank mates. They feel comfortable around similarly peaceful species.
• Size: This species is quite tiny. The fish grow up to 1.5 inches at most. They’re generally around 1 inch in size though. Given their size, Neon Tetras are harmless to most shrimp, Amanos included.
• Space Requirements: Given their small size, Neon Tetras don’t require much room. You’ll need roughly 1.5-2 gallons of water per fish.

Since the minimum recommended number of Tetras you should keep is six, I recommend 9-12 gallons.

• Tank Level: These fish dominate the middle layers of the water column. That’s where they spend almost all of their time swimming, playing, and hiding among tall-growing plants.

Neon Tetras might venture down to the substrate from time to time. But they’re not a threat to the Amanos at the bottom.

• Diet: Neon Tetras are omnivores. They prefer small insects, larvae, and algae in their natural habitat. Try replicating their natural diet in captivity.

You can use staples like fish flakes and algae wafers. Also rotate between different live or frozen foods and cooked veggies.

• Water Parameters: This species thrives in 70–81°F temperatures, 6.0–7.0 pH, and 2–10 dGH.

6. Otocinclus Catfish

The Otocinclus Catfish, Oto Catfish for short, is a gentle, lovable fish. This species is beginner-friendly and also suited for small aquariums! Oto Catfish are also big algae eaters. So, they’ve already got something in common with Amanos. Here’s some more useful info to help you learn about them:

• Personality: Otos are extremely mellow and peaceful, but get scared easily. They’re also super shy around other tank mates. They tend to keep to themselves and they avoid others. They spend most of their time looking for food and minding their own business.
• Size: This fish grows up to 1-2 inches in length. They’re around the same size as most shrimp. So, Amanos are going to be safe around this tank mate.
• Space Requirements: Space will be no problem with this species. These little fish require roughly 2 gallons each. So, for a group of 4-6 Otos, you’ll need no more than 10 gallons.
• Tank Level: Otos, just like Amanos, are bottom dwellers. That’s where they swim and feed. So, the two species will meet a lot when they search the substrate for food. You’ll see a lot more interaction between them than you would with other middle or top-swimming species.
• Diet: Oto Catfish are herbivorous. All the more reason why you shouldn’t fear for your Amanos! Herbivorous fish don’t have an appetite for meaty foods like shrimp. Instead, they feed off algae, plant matter, and even veggies.

If there aren’t enough algae in the tank for both species, you’ll have to supplement it using sinking wafers and pellets.

• Water Parameters: Otos do best in 72-79°F temperatures, 6.8-7.5 pH, and hardness levels under 15 dGH.

7. Corydoras

Corydoras make up a huge group of various Catfish species. There’s a lot of variety out there when it comes to body size, colors, and patterns. But one thing remains true across the board— Corys are amazing additions to a community tank.

This hardy species is also quite affordable. You can purchase one Cory for as little as $4, depending on the retailer. But how does this whiskered fish fit in an Amano tank? Let’s see:

• Personality: Like all other fish on this list, Corys are calm and peaceful. This species rarely shows interest in other fish (or shrimp) in the tank. Instead, they spend most of their time hiding, or lazily swimming around scavenging for food.
• Size: The average size will depend on the Cory species you choose. In general, these fish grow up to 1-4 inches long. I’d say even the larger fish won’t pose a threat to Amanos.

Since Corys are primarily scavengers, they won’t go out on a shrimp hunt anytime soon. However, if you’re still worried, you can always opt for the smaller Catfish species.

• Space Requirements: Corys need at least 1-gallon worth of tank space for each 1-inch of body length. Luckily, you don’t have to keep them in groups. You’d need roughly 20 gallons for a group of 5 Catfish. Or, you can just keep one Catfish in as little as 10 gallons.
• Tank Level: Corys are bottom dwellers, just like Amanos. They will share the same floor space most of the time. Occasionally, Corys might dart to the surface to get a gulp of fresh air. It’s one of their specific quirks.
• Diet: This species is omnivorous. But most importantly, Corys are predominantly scavengers. They’ll eat anything you feed them, including flakes, algae pellets, and frozen foods like bloodworms and daphnia.

They’ll also dig through the substrate and eat leftovers from other fish in the tank. Like Amanos, they’re a huge helping hand in keeping the aquarium clean.

• Water Parameters: They thrive in 70–78°F temperature, 5.5–7.0 pH, and 5–10 dGH water.

8. Zebra Danios

Zebra Danios are small, playful, and easy to care for. They come in a variety of colors, from neutral tones to beautiful blue, green, or purple. They also sport perfectly straight horizontal stripes, hence their name.

The good news is that they’re hella cheap and easy to find. You can buy one fish for $2 in most stores. With regards to compatibility, I think their qualities speak for themselves:

• Personality: Danios are sociable, playful, and energetic fish. They spend most of their time in groups, darting around the aquarium. They’re super peaceful around other species, and never cause stress or harm to their tank mates.

The only exception is when they see long, flowing fins. They have a reputation for being fin-nippers. Not a problem for Amanos though.

• Size: These fish grow up to 2.5 inches long. They’re not much larger than Amanos. They also have thin, elongated bodies and small mouths. So they’re not going to swallow your shrimp whole anytime soon.
• Space Requirements: You’ll need 2 gallons worth of space for each Zebra Danio. Since this is a shoaling species, you should keep at least 5-6 fish. That bumps up the space requirement to 10-12 gallons.
• Tank Level: Danios swim, play, and feed in the middle and top layers of the water column. You’ll rarely see them venture down into shrimp territory.
• Diet: Danios are omnivorous and need a variety of meats and plants. Feed them a combination of fish flakes, algae pellets, and frozen and live foods.
• Water Parameters: This species requires 64–77°F temperature, 6.8–8.0 pH, and 5–19 dGH water.

9. Ram Cichlids

Cichlids in a community tank? Next to Amanos?? You might think I’ve lost my mind, but hear me out. Although Cichlids have a reputation for being aggressive, territorial bullies, some species are actually quite peaceful.

This is definitely the case for Ram Cichlids. I especially recommend the German Blue Ram, as this fish is a bit smaller than other Cichlids. Here’s what makes them a good potential choice:

• Personality: This species is calm and peaceful. They’re not as sociable as other fish on the list, but they don’t mind sharing their space with other fish. They don’t go out of their way to interact with others though.

They’re perfectly fine in their solitary bubble. You’ll see they spend most of their time looking for food or gracefully swimming all over the aquarium.

• Size: They grow up to 2-3 inches long, depending on their tank size. They’re not much larger than Amanos, so they’re safe around shrimp and similar-sized critters.
• Space Requirements: You’ll need roughly 10 gallons of tank space for each Ram. They need a bit more than other fish on this list. Luckily, this isn’t a shoaling species. You can keep only one fish if you’re low on space.
• Tank Level: Ram Cichlids don’t have a preferred tank level to swim in. They wander all over the place. However, you have nothing to worry about even if they swim at the bottom.
• Diet: Like most Cichlids, this fish is omnivorous. You can feed them a variety of foods, including insect larvae, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp, as well as veggies.

Know that fish flakes shouldn’t be a staple in their diet!

• Water Parameters: Keep the water temperature around 78-85°F, pH between 6.0-7.5, and water hardness between 6-14 dGH.

10. Bristlenose Pleco

And last but not least, here’s yet another Catfish species! Bristlenose Plecos are widely appreciated in the aquarium hobby. They’re hardy, easy to care for, and they help keep the tank and water clean.

They also have a unique appearance thanks to their flattened bodies and protruding tentacles on their heads. They’re highly compatible and make excellent Amano Shrimp tank mates. Consider their species profile:

• Personality: Bristlenose Plecos are calm, mellow fish. They don’t mind sharing their space with other species. They’re a passive species, so they’re unlikely to disturb other members in the aquarium.

The most unique thing about their behavior is the fact that they’re nocturnal. They spend most of the day lying around lazily or hiding. They become most active when the lights go out. That’s when they start swimming and burrowing in search of food.

• Size: This fish grows up to 4-5 inches long. There’s a considerable size difference between Amanos and Plecos. However, for this species, this is not a concern. For starters, this Pleco’s mouth is located on the bottom part of its body, not facing straight ahead.

Due to this, Plecos feed in a completely different way than most other fish. They don’t gulp down the foods that come their way. Instead, they sucker things up from the substrate and other crevices. Their natural diet also makes them safe around shrimp.

• Space Requirements: Unlike other fish on the list, this species needs a lot of space. They might be mostly sedentary, but when it comes time to eat, they need lots of room for scavenging. At least 30 gallons is a good starting point. You’ll also need 10 additional gallons for each extra fish.
• Tank Level: They spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank. During the day, they blend in with the substrate, just laying around. During the dark hours, they swim around burying their heads and looking for food.
• Diet: These Plecos are primarily herbivorous. Most of their energy in the wild comes from algae. They also nibble on the occasional flakes or meaty foods, if they can find those in the tank.

However, you should focus mostly on feeding them algae wafers and other green veggies. Either way, they don’t hunt for food, so your Amanos should be safe.

• Water Parameters: They’re highly adaptable. These Plecos thrive in a wider range of water parameters than other fish on this list. These include 73–81°F temperature, 5.7–7.8 pH, and 2–20 dGH hardness.

Conclusion

Amano Shrimp are mellow and peaceful. Maybe they’re too peaceful for their own good because they usually end up as food when in a community tank.

However, it doesn’t have to be that way! You can safely keep Amanos together with fish in a colorful aquarium. You just have to know what species to look for.

Luckily, all the fish I’ve included on this list make great choices for a mixed species aquarium. These fish are small or similarly-sized to Amano Shrimp. They’re all peaceful and not known to be troublemakers.

While most are mid to top-layer swimmers, even the bottom dwellers are a good match in an Amano tank. Let me know which option sounds the best to you!