What are Triops?
Triops longicaudatus are crustaceans that are also called Dinosaur shrimp or Tadpole shrimp that look like miniature horseshoe crabs. They have a short life-cycle of 20 to 90 days - growing very quickly in this time to about 2 inches in length ! Why is a single one called a Triops and not a Triop?
Because the Latin genus name for the group of creatures at Triops belongs to is "Triops" and not "Triop". For a full explanation click here. Where do Triops come from?
The Triops we sell are especially bred in America for us. Triops in the wild exist in temporary ponds all over the world (except Antarctica) - even the UK ! What do they eat?
Triops eat anything in the tank that's smaller than them - and that includes other Triops (they are cannibalistic)! They are omnivorous (they eat plants and meat) and will eat smaller shrimp, algae, insects and fish food ! Together with the Triops eggs in your packet you may have eggs for Fairy Shrimp, Clam Shrimp and Daphnia. They are also fond of *very* thinly sliced carrots. Are they really Dinosaurs?
Fossils of Triops have been found that show they were on the earth around 200 million years BC. The unusual thing is that Triops haven't really changed in all those years ! How did they survive when the Dinosaurs died?
Triops survived because their eggs exist in a state of diapause (suspended animation) until they are added to water - scientists think that this is what helped the Triops survive the extreme temperatures and long droughts that existed at that time. Will they reproduce?
Yes. Triops are capable of hermaphroditic reproduction, which means that they don't need a partner - each Triops can lay eggs which will hatch once they have been dried out and added to water again ! How long will the eggs keep for?
The eggs will remain in a state of suspended animation (diapause) for up to twenty years. Can I put them in with my Goldfish? 
Net and Flounder
| Probably not a good idea - remember, Triops are predators. One day you'd come back to the tank to find no Goldfish and a BIG Triops ! |
Why do they need to be near a lamp?
Triops need to be kept at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the lamp makes sure the water is warm enough. They have changed colour!
That's right they start life as very small orange specks as they grow they will change to red. This is due to the haemoglobin in their blood. As they grow even more they change a brown-grey colour, this is due to the carapace forming (protective shell). 
Orange Bodies (no carapace)
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With a grey carapace,
the perfect camouflage
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What are all these ghostly Triops forms on the bottom of my tank ?
To aid their rapid growth Triops shed their exoskeletons. What is the wood that comes with the Triops eggs?
It is detritus containing the microscopic eggs as well as helpful bacteria and food to help the Triops survive in their new environment. The water is dirty can I clean it out?
Changing Triops environment is always risky, if you really must swap the water then at the very most only replace half and make sure the new water is at the same temperature as water in the tank What type of sand can I add?
At present we haven't found a reliable source for sand that does not risk killing your pets. Can I use a bigger tank?
Yes BUT we have had problems if the tank is too big (A 3 foot aquarium for example) we think this is due to the fact there isn't enough food available in such a large space for the Triops. If you are upgrading tanks it is best to do it with a new batch of eggs rather than upsetting your existing pets. Some people say don't use a tank larger than one litre. They haven't hatched!
Don't worry. In cooler conditions they make take up to two weeks to hatch. Try putting them under a desk light to get the temperature up. And if you bought them from The Netfysh then as with all our products they are fully guaranteed by us. Where can I find out more?
Read and join in at the Triops Forever Yahoo Group 
Click to subscribe to triopsforever
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