Black King Kong Shrimp

Common Name: Black King Kong Panda Shrimp, BKK Panda Shrimp, Panda Shrimp
Scientific Name: Caridina Cantonensis
Genus: Caridina
Wild Origin: Taiwan
Adult Size: 1-1.5in

**Note:  All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No additional insulation is needed for your livestock.

The Black King Kong is a premier variety of Taiwan Bee Shrimp achieved through rigorous selective breeding. Known for their deep, obsidian-black bodies and crisp white markings, the name for these freshwater shrimp can differ depending on what marks they exhibit. "Pandas" feature distinct white bands, while "King Kongs" are almost entirely black with minimal white accents. You may also see "Shadow" or "Shadow Panda" variations, which display a striking blue hue within the white bands. Their bold, high-contrast look makes them one of the most sought-after additions to any high-end shrimp tank.

As with many highly bred freshwater shrimp, Black King Kongs are very sensitive to water fluctuations. While they can be kept in smaller setups, we recommend a shrimp aquarium of at least 25 gallons for beginners to this species. The larger water volume provides a necessary buffer to maintain the stable, acidic conditions they require.

Check out our guide on the different substrates that can help achieve ideal water parameters for these shrimp: Best Substrate for Shrimp

Key Features & Important Notes

• Tank-raised specimen
  
• Bright, bold color and pattern
• Shrimp are excellent scavengers and will happily feed on biofilm, decaying plant matter, and algae
• To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after placing an order to properly prepare live animal shipments

Recommended Water Parameters
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research before committing to keeping any livestock.

• Temperature Range: 68-72°F
• pH: 5.5-6.7
• TDS: 90-120 ppm
• GH: 3-6 dGH
• KH: 0-1 dKH

Recommended Tank Size
5+ gallons, minimum. Tank size is relative and various factors should be considered when determining tank size. We highly recommend 20+ gallons for long-term colony success and ease of maintenance.

Diet
Algae, biofilm, diatoms, decaying plant matter, spirulina powder, bee pollen, plant-based shrimp pellets/wafers, blanched vegetables

Breeding
The Black King Kong shrimp variety doesn't occur naturally in the wild, so breeding lines are entirely captive-bred and maintained by skilled breeders. Once optimal water conditions are established, breeding Caridina shrimp is relatively easy. Starting with larger groups of 10-20 adults offers the best chance of successful spawning.

However, Caridina varieties lay fewer eggs than other dwarf shrimp species. Expect females to only lay about 15 eggs at a time. It takes roughly 20 days for the eggs to hatch and become free-swimming. Breeding Black King Kong Panda Shrimp will depend on the line it came from and what type of shrimp you will breed them to.

You’ll want to get some information from the source of your Black King Kong Panda Shrimp on their particular genetic history. Survival rates of Black King Kong Panda x Black King Kong Panda can be as low as 10%, so most breeders choose to cross these shrimp with any of a variety of other Caridinas.

Check out our blog article to learn how to breed freshwater shrimp.