Black King Kong Shrimp

Description

Black King Kong Shrimp

Black King Kong (BKK) shrimp are a highly prized premium variety of Caridina cantonensis, typically growing to 2-3 cm in length. Their most striking feature is an intense, solid black coloration that covers their entire body, creating a deep, velvety appearance that almost seems to absorb light. The best specimens display a uniform, jet-black coloration without any transparent areas or color variations.

The intensity of their black pigmentation is particularly remarkable, as it extends throughout the entire exoskeleton, including areas that are typically transparent in other shrimp varieties. This complete coverage creates an impressive silhouette effect in the aquarium. Their coloration can range from a deep, light-absorbing black to a very dark charcoal, with the most valued specimens showing the deepest, most uniform black.

Like other Caridina species, Black King Kong shrimp possess a slightly curved rostrum, well-developed eyes on short stalks, and long, sensitive antennae. Their walking legs (pereopods) and swimming legs (pleopods) maintain the same intense black coloration as their body, contributing to their uniform appearance. Even their eyes often display a notably dark coloration, though they remain functional.

Sexual dimorphism is present, with males typically being smaller and sometimes showing slightly less intense coloration compared to females. Mature females develop a more rounded abdomen for carrying eggs, which are visible as dark clusters through their exoskeleton. The eggs of BKK shrimp are typically dark colored, matching their parents’ coloration.

Black King Kong shrimp require precise water parameters and are generally more sensitive than many other Caridina varieties. They thrive in very soft, acidic water (pH 5.8-6.4, GH 4-5, KH 0-1), temperatures between 20-24°C (68-75°F), and TDS between 80-120ppm. They require a specialized diet including high-quality shrimp foods, blanched vegetables, and biofilm, with particular attention paid to foods that help maintain their intense coloration.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Family: Atyidae
Genus: Caridina
Species: C. cantonensis

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