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 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 20 gallons for long-term stability and ease of maintenance. The larger water volume provides a necessary buffer to maintain the stable, acidic conditions they require.
**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.
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to maintain stable parameters to ensure a healthy, thriving colony!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caridina cantonensis |
| Common Name(s) | Black King Kong Shrimp, BKK Panda Shrimp, Taiwan Bee Shrimp |
| Care Difficulty | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Adult Size | 1.0"–1.5" (2.5–3.8 cm) |
| Diet | Omnivore / Biofilm & Algae Grazing |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 Gallons (20+ Gallons Recommended) |
| Temperature Range | 68°F–72°F (20°C–22°C) |
| pH Range | 5.5–6.7 |
| General Hardness (GH) | 3–6 dGH |
| Carbonate Hardness (KH) | 0–1 dKH |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | 90–120 ppm |
| Lifespan | 1–2 Years |
1. How do I properly acclimate my new freshwater shrimp to prevent shock?
Dwarf shrimp are sensitive to sudden shifts in water parameters and total dissolved solids (TDS). Always drip acclimate new arrivals over 1 to 2 hours before releasing them into your tank. Follow our step-by-step tutorial in 7 Easy Steps to Drip Acclimate Shrimp and Fish for the perfect drip rate setup.
2. What substrate is best for keeping dwarf shrimp healthy?
It depends on the species! Neocaridina species thrive in inert substrates like gravel or sand, while Caridina species like Black King Kong Shrimp require active aquasoils that buffer pH down and pull KH near zero. Learn how to select the right foundation for your aquarium shrimp in our Best Substrate for Shrimp Guide.
3. How do I get my colony to start breeding?
As long as water parameters remain stable, temperatures stay in the low 70s, and adequate food is present, dwarf shrimp will breed naturally. To maximize baby shrimplet survival rates and learn how to support berried females, read our complete guide on How to Breed Freshwater Shrimp.
4. Are dwarf shrimp easy to care for if I am a beginner?
While Neocaridina species are great for beginners, Caridina species like Black King Kong Shrimp require precise soft-water conditions (low KH, low TDS, and active buffering soil). If you are just starting out, get a complete overview of parameters, diet, and setup requirements in our Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Care Guide.
Overall rating: 4.5454545 / 5 from 11 reviews.
Black King Kong Panda Shrimp are highly praised for their vibrant colors and patterns, excellent scavenging abilities, and high quality. Customers appreciate the fast and reliable shipping, as well as the great packaging. The shrimp are known for their health and activity, making them a popular choice for aquariums.
Review topics: [color, size, quality, shrimp].
"I have loved everything from shrimp to plant that I have purchased! The best quality I have had on online purchases."
"The looks could be better. Only one has the characteristic blue and white bands which make them pop. The others are more than 90% black ☹️. They need intense care so I purchased a lid and my fingers are crossed!"
"Came in without any problems. Doing well with the transition to tank"
"Live delivered and great color"
"Acclimated these guys to the tank slowly, but the second I dropped them in they started going to work nomming the dead plant material. And then, to my surprise, they started building a civilization! Crews commenced building roads and establishing agriculture to more efficiently keep the entire colony fed. They are starting to build structures....My guess is that they are alters to worship the life giving Fluval 3.0 god."
"Fantastic shrimp, good packaging. Tested the water upon arrival and it was as the description parameters mentioned. 100 tds, ph 6.5 0/0/0 ammonia nitrite nitrate, which matches my tank parameters perfectly. The shrimp are about a week or two in the tank now and they’re doing fantasic."
"Shrimp were a bit on the smaller side. Smaller than previous ordered bkks. They’ve disappeared and havent seen any of the 5 since i put em in 2 wks ago! Lol"
"Everything came quickly and it all survived thank you for the great experience"
"Shrimp’s color was good. I guess they have good quality of shrimp. But size was much smaller than I thought. I ordered 5 of them but 3 of them died within a week."
"Fantastic customer service. Great communication with above and beyond care."
