Black Kingkong Shrimp

At one centimeter, the Black Kingkong is a shadow with legs—and a crown.

The Black Kingkong Shrimp is a striking black and white Caridina shrimp, peaceful and ideal for nano planted aquariums. Perfect for experienced shrimp keepers!

• Water Conditions: Black Kingkong Shrimp are a Caridina cantonensis variety, requiring soft, acidic water to thrive. They are highly sensitive to water quality, so maintaining stable parameters is crucial. Aim for a pH between 5.8 and 6.8, though 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal. The water temperature should be kept between 20°C and 23°C (68°F to 74°F). These shrimp need a general hardness (GH) of 4 to 6 dGH and a carbonate hardness (KH) of 0 to 2 dKH. Total dissolved solids (TDS) should be between 100 and 200 ppm. Ammonia and nitrite must always be zero, and nitrate should be kept below 20 ppm. Because they require such specific conditions, using reverse osmosis (RO) or deionized (DI) water remineralized with a shrimp-specific salt is highly recommended. Avoid tap water, which may contain copper, chlorine, or heavy metals that are lethal to shrimp. Regular testing and slow drip acclimation are essential when introducing them to a new tank.
• Suitable Tank Mates: Due to their peaceful nature and small size, Black Kingkong Shrimp are vulnerable to predation. Ideal tank mates include small, peaceful fish that won't view them as food. Good options are micro rasboras such as Boraras brigittae (chili rasbora), Boraras maculatus (dwarf rasbora), and Microdevario kubotai (green neon rasbora). Celestial pearl danios (Celestichthys margaritatus) and small Corydoras like Corydoras pygmaeus are also suitable. Otocinclus catfish are excellent algae eaters that ignore shrimp. Other Caridina shrimp, such as Crystal Red, Black Crystal, and Tiger shrimp, can be kept together, but be aware that they may interbreed, producing hybrid offspring. If you want to maintain pure Black Kingkong lines, keep them in a species-only tank. Snails like Nerite, Ramshorn, and Mystery snails are safe and help clean algae. Avoid any fish that are large, aggressive, or known to eat shrimp, such as most tetras, barbs, angelfish, bettas, and cichlids. Also avoid crayfish, crabs, and large frogs. Provide plenty of hiding places like Java moss, Christmas moss, cholla wood, and dense plants to help shrimp feel secure.
• Feeding Habits: Black Kingkong Shrimp are omnivorous detritivores that primarily graze on biofilm, algae, and microfauna in a mature aquarium. In a well-established tank, they can meet much of their nutritional needs naturally. However, supplemental feeding is important to ensure they receive a balanced diet. Offer high-quality shrimp-specific foods such as pellets, wafers, and sticks designed for Caridina species. These foods often contain necessary minerals and proteins. A varied diet should include blanched vegetables like spinach, zucchini, cucumber, and carrot, as well as dried leaves such as Indian almond, mulberry, and guava leaves. These leaves not only provide food but also promote biofilm growth and release beneficial tannins. Occasionally, you can offer protein-rich foods like bloodworms, daphnia, or brine shrimp, but limit these to once or twice a week to avoid overfeeding. Black Kingkong Shrimp are slow eaters, so ensure food reaches the substrate where they forage. Feed small amounts once a day or every other day, and remove any uneaten food after a few hours to prevent water quality issues. They also require calcium and other minerals for successful molting, so consider using a mineral supplement like Shrimp King Mineral or adding a cuttlebone to the tank.
• Care Requirements: Black Kingkong Shrimp are considered advanced-level invertebrates and are not recommended for beginners. They require a mature, stable aquarium that has been running for at least three to six months to develop a healthy biofilm and biological filtration. Use a sponge filter or a filter with a prefilter to prevent shrimplets from being sucked up. Keep the water parameters consistent; sudden changes can cause stress, molting problems, and death. Always drip-acclimate new arrivals over one to two hours. Quarantine new shrimp before adding them to the main tank to prevent disease introduction. Perform small, regular water changes of 10