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ShrimpadvancedFreshwater

King Kong Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis

AnimaliaArthropodaMalacostracaAtyidae

Variety of Crystal Red Shrimp · king kong

📍 China/Taiwan (captive developed)

Ask Finn

Premium Caridina with heavy, mostly black patterning and bold white patches. More black than a standard Crystal Black Shrimp. Requires very soft, acidic water. Prized by serious shrimp breeders.

Size1.2"
Min Tank5g
School6+
peaceful
Zoneall

Care Guide

Diet

King Kong Shrimp are detritivores that primarily feed on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter in the substrate. Supplement with specialized shrimp pellets (sinking type), blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach, and occasional protein sources such as dried spirulina or fish food designed for Caridina species. Feed small amounts 2-3 times weekly, removing uneaten food within 24 hours to maintain water quality.

Behavior

These shrimp are peaceful, slow-moving grazers that spend most of their time foraging along the substrate and plant surfaces. They are primarily nocturnal and will hide during the day, becoming more active in dimly lit conditions. King Kong Shrimp are social and do best in groups of 6 or more, where they exhibit natural schooling behavior and reduced stress.

Breeding

Breeding King Kong Shrimp in captivity is moderately difficult and requires strict water parameter control, particularly maintaining pH between 5.8–6.8 and soft water (GH 4-6). Females produce small batches of 20-30 shrimplets that develop without a planktonic larval stage, making them easier to raise than some species. Success rates improve significantly with established tanks containing abundant biofilm and stable conditions; patience and attention to detail are essential.

Common Diseases

Bacterial Infection (Septicemia)

Symptoms

Discoloration, lethargy, white patches on body or appendages, molting difficulties

Treatment

Perform 25% water changes daily, ensure pristine water quality, remove affected individuals to isolation tank if possible; antibiotics rarely effective in shrimp

Fungal Infection

Symptoms

White or gray fuzzy growth on body, appendages, or gills; reduced activity and feeding

Treatment

Increase water changes, improve aeration, lower tank temperature slightly if possible, remove decaying plant matter; salt baths are ineffective for freshwater shrimp

Molting Problems (Molt Trap)

Symptoms

Inability to shed exoskeleton completely, shrimp stuck partially in old shell, death shortly after

Treatment

Maintain stable water parameters and adequate calcium/minerals; ensure GH is not too low; provide iodine-enriched foods; cannot be reversed once trapped

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Visible parasites on body, excessive scratching against surfaces, lethargy, appetite loss

Treatment

Quarantine affected shrimp; perform frequent water changes; copper-based treatments are toxic to shrimp; focus on maintaining pristine water quality

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Quick Facts

pH
5.8–6.8
diet
biofilm/specialist shrimp food
minTankSize
10 gallons
temperature
64–75°F (18–24°C)

Temperature

64–75°F

18–24°C

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists