Are you interested in learning more about Amano Shrimp and Ghost Shrimp? Which one works better for your tank? In this article, we’ll set up the ultimate guide for between Amano and Ghost shrimp.
Amano Shrimp Vs Ghost Shrimp: Amano shrimp live mostly on the bottom of the tank at the substrate. Ghost shrimp like to look for food in the water column of your tank. Amano shrimp live longer and grow larger. Ghost shrimp are cheaper to buy and breed much faster.
What is The Size Difference Between Amano Shrimp and Ghost Shrimp?
- Amano Shrimp: Up to 2-3 inches
- Ghost Shrimp: Up to 1.5 inches
Female Amano shrimps are larger than males and this is in agreement with much of the marine life we witness in our aquariums. The same is not true for Ghost shrimp. Both genders of Ghost shrimp are relatively the same size.
It’s fair and common for both types of shrimp to be shorter than their counterparts in the wild. A smaller tank will not offer them enough space to grow to their full potential. A 5-10 gallon tank is sufficient for Ghost shrimp, but a 10-20 gallon tank is recommended for Amano shrimp.
What Are The Water Parameters For Amano Shrimp Vs. Ghost Shrimp?
Amano shrimp enjoy slightly alkaline water and they can handle salty conditions. Ghost shrimp are only placed in freshwater tanks.
Water Parameters For Amano Shrimp
- Water temperature: 70-80°F
- pH: 6.5 and 7.5
- General Hardness: 6-8dkh
- TDS: 200ppm
- Nitrite: 0ppm
- Ammonia: 0ppm
- Nitrate: 20ppm
- Water Changes: 30% twice a week
Water Parameters For Ghost Shrimp
- Water temperature: 65-85°F
- pH: 6.5 and 8.0
- General Hardness: 5-8dkh
- TDS: 200ppm
- Nitrite: 0ppm
- Ammonia: 0ppm
- Nitrate: 20ppm
- Water Changes: 30% twice a week
Most of these numbers are similar, but Amano shrimp are hardier with a longer lifespan.
Fun Facts
Claws
- An Amano shrimp has shorter claws.
- Ghost shrimp have sharper claws.
Diet
- Amano shrimp feeds on algae.
- Ghost shrimp feeds on bloodworms and small prey.
Origins
- Amano shrimp originated from Japan.
- Ghost shrimp were first found in the US.
Lifespan
- Amano shrimp live 2-3 years.
- Ghost shrimp live up to 1 year.
Tank Cleaning
- Amano shrimp will focus on tank cleaning from the substrate to algae.
- Ghost shrimp will look for prey, but they will feed off algae as well.
Feeder Food
- Amano shrimp breed slower in salt water.
- Ghost shrimp breed in fresh water and do so rapidly. They are the better choice as feeder food for your fish.
Price
- Ghost shrimp are cheaper than Amano shrimp because they breed faster and live shorter lives.
Appearance
- Ghost shrimp look slightly transparent with small markings with slender bellies (males) or rounded bellies (females).
- Amano shrimp have rounded markings (males) and elongated markings (females).
Do Ghost Shrimp Eat Amano Shrimp?
Yes. Ghost shrimp are into eating anything they can find. They will even eat Amano shrimp if they are small enough. Ghost shrimp will scavenge next to Amano shrimp to devour dead plant and organic matter as well. They do eat algae, but they’ll go after smaller shrimp or fish too.
Ghost shrimp are more varied with their diet. They’ll nibble on dead fish and live plants as well. Dead shrimp and fish should be removed before ghost shrimp get to eating them because they could contain and spread disease this way.
How Can I Increase the Lifespan of Ghost Shrimp?
Since ghost shrimp are known to live shorter lives, there are steps you can take to give them a fighting chance to live longer. Instead of letting them only scavenge, you can choose to give them protein rich foods such as:
- daphnia
- bloodworms
- insects
- larvae
- squid
- flakes
- pellets
Algae also provide protein for the Ghost shrimp. They can live up to 4 days without food and overfeeding them could also be too much for their digestive systems to handle. They can eat a lot, but consider feeding them less and drop meals in the tank slowly by letting them eat one piece at a time.
Which Shrimp Is Easier To Keep? Amano Shrimp or Ghost Shrimp?
We would have to say that Amano shrimp would be the better bet for a longer and easier life in your tank’s ecosystem. Amano shrimp tolerate fluctuations in the tank when the pH gets more alkaline or if the temperature gets colder.
They don’t need a varied diet and could enjoy feasting off debris in the substrate. Continue to perform water changes weekly and don’t let the debris accumulate to a point where the water quality suffers.
Conclusion
Amano shrimp are the better choice if you’re looking for a tank cleaner. If you want shrimp to enjoy their life at the bottom of the tank, the Amano shrimp will take pleasure of existing there.
A Ghost shrimp will be more curious and mischievous by exploring and trying to take bites out of smaller prey. Most people like to keep Ghost shrimp because they are cheaper and they look really amazing with their transparent bodies.
Algae control is better covered by Amano shrimp, but Ghost shrimp will also assist. Neither will do a perfect job at bio-filtering your tank as well as a proper filter and beneficial bacteria.
Amano shrimp get larger and more noticeable without trying to nibble at their tankmates. Most of the time, we’re looking for a peaceful tank cleaner and Amano shrimp fits that description really well and they live longer.
The choice is yours to make and you should be able to enjoy either one in your tank’s ecosystem.
Thank you for choosing HelpUsFish.com for all your fish keeping informational needs. We hope to see you soon for another article on shrimp or marine life in your aquarium!
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