Ghost vs Amano

Maybe this thread has been done already, and if it has, feel free to take it down. But I'm planning a 20 gallon aquarium with guppies, platies, and juliI cory catfish and I can't decide between ghost and amano shrimp!!

Ghost pros
I've had one before, who was adorable and a great addition to the tank.
They clean up my plants
They eat leftover food
They cost like fifty cents

Ghost Cons
They don't clean algae
I'm scared of them hurting my future guppies
They don't live long and there's a chance of them dying for no reason anyways

And I don't really know anything about amano shrimp, but a ton of people say they're the best shrimp and way better than ghosts. I just don't know. Any suggestions?

 

Amano shrimp are not shy, you will see them at every level of your tank. They will groom every inch of every surface.

 

I love my amanos. They are easy to see/find most of the time. I have never seen them being aggressive to any of the fish, They will eat some algae. They do eat leftover foods. They are more expensive.

 

I love my amanos. They are easy to see/find most of the time. I have never seen them being aggressive to any of the fish, They will eat some algae. They do eat leftover foods. They are more expensive.

HI shayla1,
First of all that betta on your profile pic is very beautiful.

Second amanos are sounding pretty good except for a few things:

I have been unable to find that at my LFS, Petco, and Petsmart.
And exactly how expensive are they?

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

Amanos are usually about 2-3 dollars each where I'm at. Sometimes you can ask for lfs to order some. I know a couple pet stores around me will do that.

 

Amanos are much less aggressive, easier to spot in the tank, will eat certain types of algae unlike ghosts, and will still clean up uneaten food. They are more expensive and harder to find at stores (at least around here) but they seem to be hardier and are also much more attractive.

Another bonus is that they can be safely kept with neocaridina shrimp such as cherries without any issues.

 

Another bonus, Amano shrimp live for a very long time, mine have hit the six year mark!

 

HI shayla1,
First of all that betta on your profile pic is very beautiful.

Second amanos are sounding pretty good except for a few things:

I have been unable to find that at my LFS, Petco, and Petsmart.
And exactly how expensive are they?

Thanks for the quick reply!

Thank you, the betta is my Mango. He has passed, but was a pet store betta that I fell in love with and brought home.

I am in Canada, but I do have a couple pet stores that regularly carry Amano shrimp. We usually pay around $3-4 here. Everything is a bit more expensive here. I was looking to get a few more for my tank, but the store was sold out when I went yesterday.

 

When I can find them locally in this area they're usually somewhere around $3-$5. Depending on how many you want it would probably be cheaper to get them online and shipped to you.

 

Amanos are usually about 2-3 dollars each where I'm at. Sometimes you can ask for lfs to order some. I know a couple pet stores around me will do that.

Great thanks

Thank you, the betta is my Mango. He has passed, but was a pet store betta that I fell in love with and brought home.

I am in Canada, but I do have a couple pet stores that regularly carry Amano shrimp. We usually pay around $3-4 here. Everything is a bit more expensive here. I was looking to get a few more for my tank, but the store was sold out when I went yesterday.

Aw I'm sorry about your betta.

And thanks for answering my questions I was honestly expecting them to be a lot more expensive but that's not bad at all

 

Has anyone mentioned that since Amanos are bigger, they are also less likely to get eaten by fish.

 

Has anyone mentioned that since Amanos are bigger, they are also less likely to get eaten by fish.

I think somewhere in here someone mentioned it. But ghosts are "spunky" as I call it and are also not super likely to be eaten. But at their price it doesn't really matter...

 

Another bonus, Amano shrimp live for a very long time, mine have hit the six year mark!

Nice

 

quick question: I need some more shrimp for my tank should I go with Amano or ghost shrimp? Amanos are more expensive and I'm not sure if they are worth $2 a shrimp were the ghosts are so much cheaper, what do you guys think

ps I might get some cherries as well but idk if its worth it

 

I really like amanos. I prefer how they look to ghosts and they are the best shrimp for eating algae. Mine worked miracles in one of my tanks.

 

I heard on an aquarium podcast recently that someone did a controlled research experiment comparing amanos with cherries for algae consumption/control, and they found that the amanos outperformed the cherries... by 6%.
I'm guessing that was based on equal sized shrimps, and also used only 1 shrimp per trial. I heard that all other parameters were identical/controlled. So although I personally like amanos for the work they do, if cherries are ounce for ounce only 6% less effective at cleaning than amanos, they get my vote.
Plus at least the cherries have the potential to breed and self sustain their numbers, whereas amanos will have to be replaced over time.
No time for ghosts. Some are outright predatory.

 

I heard on an aquarium podcast recently that someone did a controlled research experiment comparing amanos with cherries for algae consumption/control, and they found that the amanos outperformed the cherries... by 6%.
I'm guessing that was based on equal sized shrimps, and also used only 1 shrimp per trial. I heard that all other parameters were identical/controlled. So although I personally like amanos for the work they do, if cherries are ounce for ounce only 6% less effective at cleaning than amanos, they get my vote.
Plus at least the cherries have the potential to breed and self sustain their numbers, whereas amanos will have to be replaced over time.
No time for ghosts. Some are outright predatory.

Really? Only 6%..... my amanos are algae eating gods. I believe cherries eat more types of algae (maybe that's why?).

Anywho, my amanos have another trick up their sleave. They are much less likely to be eaten by fish. Either way, I always love to have many cherry shrimp in a tank and then a few larger amanos. I just think the difference is pretty cool.

 

I'd rather put ammanos and cherries together ghost don't interest me at all due to they're canibalistic attitude toward their own young and cherries

 

I have a few different types of shrimp in my 10gal including both amanos and cherries, and they do okay together, so you could technically get a few of each!

 

I currently have ghosts and amanos, ghosts are alright. Fun to watch like any other shrimp. They don't seem to eat much if any algae. I like my amanos much more that the ghosts. they're larger, do a better job cleaning up the tank, seem to be out and about more than my ghost shrimp. Although you can't breed Amano shrimp. Ghost shrimp are a little difficult to breed but mine have been able to reproduce. I started with 5 ghosts a years ago and now have 15 plus. Cherry shrimp are the easiest to breed if you're interested in establishing a shrimp colony.

 

My ghost shrimp seem to reproduce without problems. I can see seven or eight under an inch whenever I look in my tank, and I’m sure there’s more.

 

I honestly have no idea how many I have anymore. ghosts are only a little more tricky since when they first hatch they're basically free floating larva and usually get eaten or sucked into filters before they develop enough to control themselves. When cherries hatch they're full fledged minI shrimp able to hide as needed. I believe that's how it works at least... it's been awhile since I've read up on shrimp breeding. Amano's need brackish water to successfully hatch.

 

Depending on what type/ size tank you have ?
I keep all three together and everything has good and bad qualities.
Ghost shrimp are the most entertaining imo
Cherries self sustaining via reproduction and more vivid coloration.
Amono are better for cleaning ... I think.

Good luck

 

Amano's need brackish water to successfully hatch.

Welllllllll... technically this isn't quite correct. They hatch from eggs to zoes (larvae) in freshwater, and then need salt water to grow through the larval stages into tiny shrimp. At which time they return (or are returned by enterprising breeders) to fresh.

[edit: clicked "post reply", re-read my own post, though "geez, who called the details police?". One of those "should have let it go" moments.]