The Amano Shrimp, also known as the "Japanese Swamp Shrimp" and the "Yamoto Numa-Ebi", is considered one of the best algae eating creatures for any aquarium. They are highly desired by aquarists, and make great additions to any tank.

Amano Shrimp are quite active and very cute. They can be highly entertaining to watch, as there is rarely a moment when they are not moving around. Their most popular feature, however, is their diet. These little creatures will strip an aquarium of its algae population in a few days, which helps to keep it clean. The Amano can be kept with any fish that will not eat them, which brings the selection to the fish that are smaller than two inches inch in size. Amano Shrimp should be kept in aquariums with moderate rock decoration and heavy plant decoration. Live plants are highly recommended, including the Amazon Sword and the Java Moss. Live plants may be nibbled on if the Shrimp are not well fed.

At maturity, the Amano Shrimp will reach a size of roughly two inches. Their bodies have very beautiful colors. For the most part, their body is colored a light, opaque brown color. Their back has a darker tan stripe that goes from their head to their tail. Their little tails have black and white dots. In addition, the sides of the Amano Shrimp have broken lines of a reddish color. The Amano Shrimp does not have large claws like most other shrimp. They have a relatively long life span, though.

The Amano Shrimp can be found in the many swamps of Japan. Most of the commercial Amano Shrimp are taken from the southern island of Japan, called Kyushu. Takashi Amano first used them in the aquarium hobby in 1983, and gave them his name. These highly desired fish are hard to find if your are not in a southeastern Asian Country. They have recently been brought to European countries and America as well.

Amano Shrimp need to be kept in slightly brackish water (water that is half saltwater, half freshwater). Their water temperature should be between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and should have a pH level between six and seven. Amano Shrimp are quite sensitive to ammonia and ammonium concentrations, as well as heavy metals. They should be fed flake foods, algae tablets and bloodworms. They will eat most algae in their tank, and may nibble on some plants, if any are present.

The Amano Shrimp is difficult to breed. There have only been a few people who have managed to breed these creatures, and even fewer who have managed to raise the fry. It is believed that the mating season lies in late spring or early summer. If fry are produced, they should be removed from the parents, and should be kept in an aquarium with a sponge filter and plenty of algae to eat.