Snow White Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

Common Name

Snow White Amano Shrimp

Origin and Habitat

Caridina multidentata is native to Japan, Taiwan, and nearby island chains. Adults live in cool, clear mountain and foothill streams with rocky beds, submerged roots and wood, and strong biofilm growth on every surface. The species is amphidromous, adults mate in freshwater, larvae drift downstream to brackish estuaries, then post larvae migrate back upstream. The Snow White morph is a selectively bred aquarium line that shows a pale white to milk glass body with translucent highlights, behavior and care match the standard Amano.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Preferred temperature is 68 to 76 F, which is 20 to 24 C, short periods to 78 F, which is 26 C, are possible if oxygen stays high. Wild waters are soft to moderate with pH near neutral, commonly 6.5 to 7.5. In aquaria, stable parameters are more important than chasing exact numbers, except in specialized breeding projects. Provide strong biological filtration, steady oxygen, and regular partial changes. Keep a gentle current over rock and wood to encourage continuous grazing. Avoid copper based medications, and supply calcium and magnesium so molts are clean and shells remain firm.

Appearance and Size

Snow White Amanos display a creamy white to pearly body with translucent legs and antennae. The flank dot rows that are obvious on standard Amanos can appear faint tan or nearly invisible on this line. Females are larger and broader with longer swimmerets, males are slimmer. Freshly molted individuals look brightest. Adults reach about 4 to 5 cm, roughly 1.5 to 2 inches.

Diet in the Wild

Relentless grazers of biofilm and algae. They scrape diatoms, soft green films, and bacterial mats from rock and wood, and nip tiny bits of decaying leaves while picking micro invertebrates embedded in the biofilm.

Feeding in Captivity

Give them surfaces to work. Mature plants, driftwood, river stones, and a bit of leaf litter grow the buffet they prefer. Supplement with shrimp wafers, algae wafers, powdered spirulina, and finely blanched vegetables such as zucchini curls and spinach. Small pieces of nori and occasional protein rich micro pellets help growth and egg production. Feed lightly so food disappears within a few hours and water stays pristine.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Peaceful community shrimp that spend every waking minute foraging. They thrive in established planted tanks with high oxygen, gentle to moderate flow, and no gaps at the lid. Use inert sand or fine gravel, stacked stones, and wood to create grazing lanes. Good companions include small tetras, rasboras, ricefish, peaceful livebearers, and dwarf Corydoras that do not harass shrimp. Avoid large or predatory fish.

Breeding

Important life cycle note: Caridina multidentata cannot complete its life cycle entirely in freshwater. Adults court and females carry eggs in freshwater, larvae require brackish water to survive, metamorphose, and become post larvae that then transition back to freshwater.

Freshwater courtship and egg carry: Keep a well fed colony at 70 to 74 F, which is 21 to 23 C, with high oxygen. After a female molts she releases pheromones, males swim actively, and fertilization follows. Females carry hundreds of tiny green eggs for four to six weeks. Move a berried female to a nursery right before hatch so you can collect larvae.

Larval brackish rearing: Newly released larvae are planktonic and need suspended foods. Use 15 to 20 ppt salinity verified with a refractometer, maintain bright lighting for green water if you culture it, and keep very gentle aeration with sponge covered intakes. Some breeders succeed from 12 to 25 ppt, consistency matters more than the exact target.

Larval foods: Green water rich in microalgae works well. Supplement with powdered spirulina, marine microalgal products, and very fine yeast suspensions. Feed tiny portions several times daily to keep a light haze, avoid crashes by maintaining light and mild airflow.

Metamorphosis and return to freshwater: At warm room temperatures larvae usually metamorphose in four to six weeks. When you see miniature shrimp settling on surfaces, begin a very gradual dilution to freshwater over several days, or transfer small batches to a separate tank with matched temperature and step down salinity in stages. After the transition, grow juveniles in seasoned freshwater with abundant biofilm and clean, stable parameters.

Reality check: This is an advanced breeding project. Most Snow White Amanos in the trade come from specialized facilities that run brackish larval systems at scale. If you take it on at home, log salinity, temperature, and feeding density for each attempt so you can refine your process.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Caridina multidentata
• Common name: Snow White Amano Shrimp
• Origin: Japan and nearby East Asian islands, Snow White is a selectively bred aquarium line
• Adult size: about 4 to 5 cm, roughly 1.5 to 2 inches
• Temperature: 68 to 76 F preferred, 20 to 24 C, tolerates to about 78 F with high oxygen
• Wild pH: commonly 6.5 to 7.5, stability in captivity is most important
• Temperament: peaceful grazer, excellent planted tank companion
• Diet: biofilm and algae, accepts shrimp foods, vegetables, and powdered spirulina
• Breeding type: amphidromous, freshwater adults with brackish larval stage

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

These bring that clean, minimalist look to a planted scape, like moving pearls against wood and moss. They work nonstop, they look fantastic on dark substrate, and they play perfectly with most peaceful nano fish. Give them time on the clock, real surfaces to graze, and crisp water. If you try breeding, treat it like a tiny aquaculture project, stable conditions beat perfect numbers every time.