About the species

Calceo Black Dragon belongs to the Calceo line, an unusual bee relative with dense, glossy colour and a strong marking across the carapace that gave rise to the Dragon name. The black variant has a deep, almost lacquer-like base colour.

Facts

• Latin name: Caridina cantonensis
• Common name: Calceo Black Dragon
• Size: Up to 3 cm
• Lifespan: 1.5–2 years

Behavior

Calceo Black Dragon is peaceful but reserved and only settles in a well-established group. It grazes calmly over soil, moss and leaf litter and shows its colour best in a stable species tank.

Reproduction

• Females usually carry 15–25 eggs under the tail
• The eggs hatch after about 30 days as fully developed shrimplets
• Breeding depends entirely on low KH, low TDS and a stable temperature

Feeding

Calceo Black Dragon is an omnivore but eats small amounts and feeds mainly on:

• Biofilm
• Algae
• Decaying leaves and plant matter

Feel free to supplement with:

• A low-protein Caridina food in small amounts
• Catappa or mulberry leaves
• A mineral supplement for moulting

Aquarium

• Minimum aquarium size: 30 litres
• Substrate: Active soil (we use Environment Soil)

Difficulty level

🔴 Advanced

Recommendation

Calceo Black Dragon is a collector's choice for keepers who already have a well-functioning soil aquarium. The line is uncommon in the trade and requires the same stable Caridina values as Taiwan Bee: KH near zero, stable TDS and a constant temperature.