Can Black King Kong Shrimp live with Bristlenose Pleco?
Caution — with care
Why
- Bristlenose Pleco is not on the verified shrimp-safe list, so we will not recommend it over a breeding Black King Kong Shrimp colony. It may well be fine — it simply has not been confirmed by a source, and an unverified guess is not worth the colony.
- Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Black King Kong Shrimp but is not a shrimp hunter — it may take a shrimplet or clean up a moult. Adults are safe with cover.
- Only a narrow temperature overlap — keep both around 73–74°F.
Sweet spot: both do well at 73–74°F and pH 6–6.6 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Black King Kong Shrimp | Bristlenose Pleco | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 68–74°F | 73–81°F |
| pH | 5.8–6.6 | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 2–5 dGH | 2–15 dGH |
| Adult size | 1" | 5" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 5 gal | 25 gal |
Together, plan on at least 25 gallons.
How to make it work
- Keep a large, established shrimp colony in a heavily planted tank with moss and cover so enough survive to breed.
- Target the overlapping water-parameter range and acclimate slowly.
Sort it with: A larger tank · An adjustable heater
Where to buy
- Bristlenose Pleco: buy at The Shrimp Farm · The Shrimp Farm live-arrival guarantee
Live-animal shipping: add a heat pack below 50°F, expect weather holds above 90°F, and schedule delivery for a moderate week when someone can receive it promptly.
Design the whole tank, not just the stocking
Skapelab plans a complete, buildable planted aquarium around your fish — a hand-illustrated layout, the exact plants and hardscape, a placement map, and a full equipment and shopping list. Free.
Design a tank with Black King Kong Shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco →Everything compatible with Black King Kong Shrimp · …with Bristlenose Pleco