Hatching Triops Made Easy

Triops, a type of small freshwater shrimp, has thrived for over 200 million years, earning the monikers 'dinosaur shrimp' and 'living fossils.' Hatchery kits commonly contain eggs of either Triops longicaudatus or Triops cancriformis, which hatch and grow under the same conditions. Begin by setting up your kit, filling the container with distilled water, and ensuring the temperature is suitable. Then, introduce the triops eggs and use a bright light to aid hatching, observing their fascinating journey from egg to adulthood.

Get a triops hatchery kit. These kits, available in local toy or pet stores, contain everything you need to start raising triops: eggs, food, a stirring stick, and a tank. Alternatively, you can purchase the components separately. Opt for a clean, plastic, or glass container of at least 1.1 US gallons (4.2 L). As for food, any freshwater commercial fish pellets or flakes will suffice.

Fill up the container with 4 inches (about 10 centimeters) of distilled water. Empty the bottle by pouring the water directly into the container. Avoid using regular tap water since its mineral content can be harmful to the eggs.

• Deionized water is also a suitable alternative.
• You only need a small volume of water initially, as newly-hatched triops might struggle to find food if they have to swim too far.

If the room temperature falls below 72°F (about 22°C), consider using a heating lamp. The optimal water temperature for triops to hatch and thrive ranges between 72–86°F (22–30°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the water temperature and install an incandescent lamp if necessary. Place the lamp approximately 4–10 inches (10–25 centimeters) above the container and keep it on either during the entire day or just at night, depending on the temperature fluctuations.

• Triops cannot survive in temperatures exceeding 93°F (about 34°C).

Avoid introducing any plants, toys, or substrate into the tank. Triops are delicate creatures susceptible to illness caused by the chemical composition of their environment. Tank decorations may introduce harmful minerals that could hinder the hatching or survival of the triops. Triops thrive best in a habitat containing only distilled water!

Add the triops eggs into the water. Unseal the packet containing the triops eggs and carefully pour them into the tank. Utilize a stirring stick to gently swirl the water in circular motions, ensuring no eggs remain stuck to the sides of the tank.

• Triops eggs resemble miniature, pale pink spheres.
• Refer to the manufacturer's instructions before adding the eggs, as some kits may specify adding only half of the eggs.

Expose the tank to a bright lamp for 3-4 days. Ensure the light remains on continuously for 24 hours each day to optimize the hatching conditions for the triops. Avoid covering the tank, as this would obstruct the light necessary for the eggs.

• If you're already using an incandescent lamp for warmth, it also serves as sufficient light.

Monitor for triops hatching within 48 hours. Given the appropriate water conditions and ample light, triops typically hatch quickly! Regularly check the tank, and within 2 days, you should observe small creatures swimming around.

• Initially, the triops may be hard to spot, but they undergo rapid growth.

Commence feeding the triops daily after the initial 3 days. While hatching under intense light, triops don't require food. Once they become visible and active, adhere to the manufacturer's instructions regarding feeding amounts. Initially, a single fish flake or half a crushed fish pellet is sufficient.

• Determining the appropriate food quantity can be challenging. If uneaten food persists after an hour, reduce the amount to prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria. Remove any leftover food during water changes. Adjust the feeding quantity slightly if you observe larger triops consuming smaller ones.

Replace 25% of the water when it becomes murky. Swap out 1/4 of the water 1-2 times weekly using a measuring jug to eliminate any accumulation of toxins. Treat the fresh tap water with dechlorinator before adding it to the tank.

• Ensure the new water matches the tank's temperature prior to addition.
• Avoid using distilled water for hatched triops, as it is overly pure.
• Gradually increase the water volume during changes to provide the growing triops with more swimming space.
• Keep the triops within the tank during water changes.

• If the triops haven't hatched after 72 hours, verify the use of distilled water, continuous exposure to light, and appropriate water temperature.
• Triops typically have a lifespan of 1-2 months.
• Triops longicaudatus eggs are commonly found in American hatchery kits, while Triops cancriformis eggs are prevalent in European kits.

• Triops hatchery kit or eggs, fish food, stirrer, and container
• Distilled or deionized water
• Thermometer
• Incandescent lamp
• Bright lamp
• Tap water
• Measuring jug