The truth about caring for the premium Caridina cantonensis Black King Kong Shrimp. A Complete care guide with tips on tank mates, health care, and reproduction.
Black King Kong: The Royalty of Freshwater Shrimp
Come with me as we explore a freshwater premium shrimp popular for its rare, deep, jet-black coloration – Caridina cantonensis Black King Kong.
If you read the last profile on the Crystal Black Shrimp, you’ll know that the Black King Kong is this species’ rarest and highest-graded variant. Its distinctive physical features earned the Black King Kong a special place in the hearts of seasoned aquarists.
Without wasting time, let’s dive into the details.
The Stunning Appearance of Black King Kong Shrimp
You must first understand the unique physical appearance of this variant when identifying Black King Kong shrimp. It’ll help you improve in other maintenance aspects, like observing health issues and creating the ideal habitat.
Color Patterns
As an SSS grade, the Black King Kong is a solid black Caridina shrimp with an intense black coloration and white/blue – ish or translucent accents. This solid black hue stands out in planted tanks, making it a great centerpiece.
Unique Traits
This premium freshwater shrimp has a high-grade classification because it has an intense solid black body with faint white marks that form creative patterns, a rarity in the shrimp-keeping world.
So, if you add the Balck King Kong shrimp to your aquascaped tank, be ready to draw the attention of every shrimp-keeping enthusiast.
What is aquascaping, and how can i have a planted aquarium?
Crafting the Perfect Aquarium for Black King Kong Shrimp
When breeding an aquatic dweller in captivity, you must make its environment similar to its natural habitat. That’ll ensure they develop natural traits.
You can build the ideal Caridina shrimp habitat using these freshwater shrimp environment tips:
Tank Size and Layout
Black King Kong shrimp grow between 1 and 1.5 inches, so they need a tank with a minimum of 10 gallons of water per group of 5. The layout also includes plenty of plants and moss for grazing and aesthetic purposes.
Water Parameters
An optimal tank environment for this species will have soft, acidic water in stable conditions for their comfort. I recommend using distilled or remineralized water for the best results.
| Temperature | 68 – 74 |
| pH | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | 100 – 200 ppm |
| Hardness | General Hardness 4 – 6dGH | Carbonated Hardness 0 – 1 dKH |
Substrate and Decor
Use an active substrate like active soil to keep the pH levels low. Decors like driftwood and rocks are great for natural hiding spots, while live plants and leaf litter promote biofilm growth and water stability through tannins.
| Live Plant | Anubias, Christmas Moss |
| Leaf Litter | Indian almond leaves, Alder cones |
Feeding Black King Kong Shrimp: A Balanced Diet for Vibrancy
You’re probably wondering how to create an ideal diet for premium shrimp like the Black King Kong. Don’t worry; I’ll show you.
Their dietary needs include food types for health and color maintenance.
Diet Suggestion
Serving a balanced diet rich in carotenoids is the secret to enhancing shrimp color with food. See the table below for each type of food.
| Staple | algae wafers, high-quality shrimp pellets |
| Supplements | Specialized foods with calcium for molting |
| Vegetables | Blanched Zucchini, Spinach, Kale |
For more on feeding your aquatic pets check out The Ultimate Guide to Fish Food: Pros and Cons & Best Choices!
Feeding Tips
Stick to feeding Black King Kong shrimp in small portions to prevent overfeeding and pollution from uneaten food. Use a good filtration system with low currents to maintain water quality.
Breeding Black King Kong Shrimp: A Guide to Success
Your only chance at successful shrimp reproduction is by giving your pets an ideal breeding environment. You must prepare the tank, stabilize the water parameters, and dedicate your time to Caridina shrimp fry care.
This video has been very helpful in identifying the sex of caridina Shrimp, I highly recommend it:
Breeding Setup
These parameters will create a stress-free environment for your pets:
| Temperature | 68 – 75℉ |
| pH level | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Hardiness | 4 – 6 dGH | 0 – 2 dKH |
| TDS | 120 – 200 ppm |
| Substrate | Active Soil |
| Tank Mate | Species-only |
Black King Kong shrimp between 4-6 months old are the right breeding age. The female shrimp will carry their eggs between 25-30 days after mating and constantly fan their eggs for oxygen.
Fry Care Tips
After hatching, the shrimp are tiny and fully formed. So, you must first feed them powdered or specialized shrimp fry food for healthy growth. Within a month of living, you may quarantine the juvenile Black King Kong shrimp before adding them to the main tank.
Choosing Compatible Tank Mates for Black King Kong Shrimp
Pair your pets with peaceful aquarium companions that won’t outcompete or harm Black King Kong shrimp. If you want a community, it’s better to have a species-only tank, but you can also introduce shrimp-safe tank species to the mix.
Some examples of compatible tank mates for Black King Kong shrimp include nano fish like Ember Tetras and other Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp species. You can also add Nerite snails and Thai Micro Crab.
Avoid aggressive and predatory species like Zebra Danios, large crustaceans, and Cichlids.
Preventing Health Issues in Black King Kong Shrimp
Black King Kong shrimps can have common health issues like molting problems and stress caused by unstable water parameters. You can follow these tips for preventing shrimp diseases and ensuring Black King Kong shrimp health care.
Preventative Measures
- Regular water changes
- Stable parameters
- Avoid copper-based treatments because it’s harmful to shrimp.
You must also look out for signs of illnesses.
Signs of Illness
| Signs | Meaning | Treatment |
| Lethargy | Bacterial infection | Reduce tank mates and improve water quality |
| Failed Molt | Insufficient Calcium and Stress | Improve diet and water conditions |
| Discoloration | Fungal Infection from injury or decay | Water Changes, anti-fungal treatments |
Following these Caridina shrimp maintenance tips goes a long way in ensuring your pet’s good health.
Lifespan of Black King Kong Shrimp: Caring for a Long-Lived Colony
Under good maintenance, you can enjoy the complete 1 – 2 years of your Black King Kong shrimp’s lifespan. But you must follow all the freshwater shrimp health tips in this guide to the letter.
Lifespan Factors
These three things are the most important lifespan factors:
- Water quality for comfort and breeding
- Diet for physical and internal health
- Tank stability for well-being and overall health
Care Tips for Longevity
Adopt a routine of observation and proactive maintenance to ensure long-term shrimp care.
Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of this Black King Kong shrimp care guide, so let’s wrap it up in a neat bow. Let’s start by going over the key care requirements and best premium Caridina shrimp tips:
- Feed them a balanced diet for a stunning appearance
- Keep the tank pristine with stable water conditions
- Ensure they’re kept with only compatible tank mates.
Keeping the Black King Kong shrimp in your planted tank is a high-grade addition you shouldn’t take lightly. However, once you create a stable and enriching habitat, you’re on the right track. Prepare for ornamental shrimp aquarium success.
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