If you’re an avid fishkeeper or are just starting out, you’ve probably heard of cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp. People often ask which pet is better. So let’s examine the differences between these two aquatic crustaceans!
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Size Comparison
In terms of size, Amano shrimp are larger than cherry shrimp. This is because the species hails from Japan and has a history of breeding in the wild. As a result, the largest specimens can grow up to 2 inches in length—much larger than their cherry counterparts.
Amano shrimp also tend to be more colorful. Cherry shrimp sport vibrant reds, blues, and greens on their shells, but some Amanos have stripes or spots!
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Behavior Comparison
Suppose your ideal pet is a small, active cephalopod that you can keep in a small aquarium and interact with regularly. In that case, Amano shrimps are probably more suitable for you than cherry shrimp.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something that’s not very active and won’t require much attention from you (but will still make an interesting pet), then cherry shrimp may be precisely what you’re looking for.
In addition to being better suited for larger tanks than cherry shrimp (which are better suited for smaller tanks), Amano shrimps also have more aggressive personalities than their red counterparts. This makes it easier to keep them in groups rather than alone (as long as there aren’t too many individuals in each group).
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Requirements
Regarding requirements, Amano shrimp are more challenging to keep than cherry shrimp. They require much more care and attention, and you must know what you’re doing before taking on this pet.
You should first know that Amano shrimps are much bigger than cherry shrimps. In fact, they grow up to 6 inches long — twice as big! Because they need a larger tank, they can be much more expensive to keep compared to cherry shrimp.
Another significant difference between the two types of pets is their water temperature preference. Cherry shrimps prefer warmer water, while Amano shrimps don’t seem bothered by cooler temperatures!
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Pricing
The cost of a cherry shrimp tank is typically less than that of an Amano shrimp tank. The reason for this is simple: Amano shrimp are larger and have a longer lifespan than cherry shrimp. As such, they will eat more food and require more space in your aquarium while they live their whole lives.
Since you may need to adjust your budget accordingly when purchasing either type of pet, it’s essential to remember that most people who have invested in an aquarium choose to do so because they enjoy watching the fish swim around their tanks or in other aquatic environments.
While both types of pets can be entertaining to watch (and even interact with), only one will give you great enjoyment for years at a time—and that’s not always the one with which you want to start!
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Availability
The availability of Amano shrimp is much higher than that of cherry shrimp. However, their bright colors and intriguing appearance make them more popular among aquarists.
This means that you’ll be able to find them at most pet stores and fish stores but not so much at grocery stores or supermarkets (with the exception being some larger chains like Walmart).
On the other hand, cherry shrimp are less expensive than their counterparts and more readily available in grocery stores and supermarkets. In addition, they’re often sold alongside other tropical aquarium fish food items.
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Tank Mates
Cherry shrimp are known to be more aggressive than Amano shrimp. This could be an issue if you have other fish in your tank since the cherry shrimps might nip at other fish’s fins or tails.
In contrast, Amano shrimp are much less aggressive and will not attack other fish or bother them in any way. Therefore, while a cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp can get along after being put together in the same tank, it is unlikely that they will become friends.
Cherry Shrimp would be better suited than Amano Shrimp if you want friendly pets that can live with most of your other aquarium inhabitants.
However, if you’re looking for something entirely peaceful, then Amano Shrimp would be better suited as they are non-aggressive towards other animals (and humans).
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Colors and Patterns
The Amano shrimp is more colorful than the cherry shrimp. That’s a given, but there are more differences between these two aquatic species.
Amano shrimp have more variety in color and pattern.
While the cherry shrimp has red, orange, yellow, and purple hues, the Amano has a broader range of colors from blue to white to green and even black!
They also have more pattern variations like stripes or spots on their bodies, making them unique individuals compared to their cherry cousins.
Cherry shrimps may look cute, but they’re not as durable as Amano shrimps; this makes sense because they’re much smaller than their larger counterparts (about 1/3 of the size).
So you can’t expect your little critter to last longer than three months if you don’t take proper care of it. On the other hand, its larger cousin should be able to survive up to two years under favorable conditions!
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Food and Diet
The Amano shrimp is more of an omnivore, while the cherry shrimp is a herbivore.
Therefore, if you want to keep Amanos, you should provide them with some feeding options other than algae and detritus.
This can be done by adding spirulina flakes or live plants to your tank.
However, since cherry shrimp are very sensitive to water quality, they may not do well in this setup.
If you want to feed them algae and detritus exclusively (which they prefer), then it’s best not to have any other fish in your tank with them—this includes plants!
Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp: Which Aquatic Pet is Better?
If you’re looking for something to add color to your aquarium, then the cherry shrimp might be the best option.
These little guys are small, affordable, and easy to care for. However, if you want more of an experience than just watching an orange-colored shrimp swim around the tank—and don’t mind spending a little extra money—then Amano shrimp is your best bet.
As one of the most popular aquarium species today, Amanos offer plenty of color and personality and are fascinating to watch.
Concluding Lines
The cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp are aquatic pets you can keep in your home.
They each have unique characteristics, but both are great choices if you want to add color and activity to your tank.
Both types of shrimp are relatively easy to care for once they’ve been appropriately acclimated, so choosing between these two options should be based more on personal preference than anything else!
If you’re interested in learning more about feeding your shrimps, here’s a guide to feeding them nutritious meals.