Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops food
Sea almond leaf
Aquarium filter
Lighting
Substrate
Decoration
Heating
Cleaning
ThermometerGuide
Breeding Triops the right way: Do you know how to do it?
How to breed Triops properly? I have been breeding Triops at home since 2020. Basically, you could say that breeding Triops is easy. You only need a few utensils, a lot of enthusiasm for aquariums and a little time. You fill a plastic tank with water, preferably 70 per cent distilled water and 30 per cent still mineral water, add Triops eggs, place a lamp over the tank and wait until the next day. The very next morning you should see the first tiny nauplii swimming through the small tank. You will find hundreds of blog articles and countless expert tips here on the Triops Galaxy blog on how to proceed and when to feed your Triops for the first time, when to switch from juvenile food to adult food, when the Triops moult and which diseases can occur in Triops. Take a look around. In this article, I would like to address the question of how to breed Triops correctly.
Breeding Triops correctly: What are Triops?
Triops, also known as prehistoric crustaceans, are fascinating little crustaceans that have existed for millions of years. Their name comes from the Greek and means ‘the three-eyed one’, which refers to their characteristic sensory organs. Triops belong to the Branchiopoda family and are known for their primitive appearance and amazing ability to adapt to extreme habitats. Triops prefer to live in temporary bodies of water such as puddles, rainwater ponds or seasonal pools, which often only form for a short period of time. They owe this ability to their resilient eggs, which can survive dry periods. As soon as it rains and a body of water forms, the Triops larvae hatch within a few days and quickly develop into adults.
Triops have an elongated, segmented body that is covered by a protective dorsal shield. Their three eyes are striking: two large compound eyes and a small central eye. Their pairs of legs, the so-called ‘gill feet’, are not only used for locomotion, but also for breathing and feeding. Depending on the species, the animals reach a size of three to ten centimetres and are usually grey, brownish or slightly reddish in colour. Triops have a rapid life cycle that is adapted to their habitat. Within just a few weeks, they grow into adults and begin to lay eggs. The permanent eggs can remain dry for years and only hatch again when they come into contact with water. Triops are omnivores – they feed on algae, organic waste, small insects and even conspecifics when food is scarce.
Below you can find out how to breed Triops correctly.
Breeding Triops the right way: Step-by-step instructions
With these detailed instructions, you will be able to breed Triops properly and observe their development from egg to adult. Let’s get started!
- Clean the breeding tank thoroughly with water only – do not use any cleaning agents to avoid residues. Clean all breeding utensils with water only.
- Fill the pool with a mixture of 70 per cent distilled water and 30 per cent still mineral water. Alternatively, clean river water is also suitable. You can find more details on the optimum water in the relevant guides.
- Place an LED aquarium lamp above the tank. It ensures constant lighting conditions and the necessary temperature (ideally approx. 23-25 °C).
- Add a few small pieces of almond leaf to the water. They promote the well-being of the Triops.
- Carefully place the breeding batch (Triops eggs) into the water. Make sure that the Triops eggs do not stick to the edge of the tank. If necessary, use a toothpick to gently push them into the centre.
- Now you need to be patient. The first nauplii (larvae) hatch after around 24 to 72 hours. In some cases, however, it can take up to two weeks.
- The first feeding takes place on the second day after hatching or after 48 hours: add a toothpick tip of spirulina powder to the water. This is sufficient. Feed the nauplii twice a day and take care not to overfeed them.
- As soon as the Triops have reached a size of about one centimetre, you can move them to a larger tank or aquarium.
- After four days of feeding spirulina, switch to decapsulated Artemia eggs for the next ten days: feed a small amount (a toothpick tip is sufficient) two to three times a day, depending on the size of the Triops.
- After ten days of transitional food, start feeding solid main food: one small food pearl per animal per day is sufficient.
With these instructions you have everything you need to breed Triops properly. Have fun with these fascinating prehistoric crustaceans!
Expert tip: This makes breeding work better
To improve your Triops breeding, you should use sea almond tree leaves. The sea almond tree (Terminalia catappa) and its leaves have been an indispensable aid in aquaristics for many years and are valued by breeders worldwide. The reasons for this are obvious: sea almond tree leaves have a disinfectant and fungicidal effect – they inhibit the growth of pathogens and improve the water quality in the aquarium.
The leaves contain valuable ingredients such as humic acids, tannins and flavonoids, which have a positive effect on the health of the fish. They promote cell regulation, strengthen the immune defence of the aquarium inhabitants and help to lower the pH value of the water. This significantly reduces the risk of fish diseases and creates a more natural environment in which the animals feel comfortable.
Breeding Triops correctly – Conclusion
In this blog post you have learnt how to breed Triops correctly. The successful breeding of Triops requires careful preparation, patience and the right environment. With clean, suitable water, a constant temperature and a well thought-out feeding strategy, you can observe these fascinating prehistoric crustaceans from hatching to adulthood. The most important factors here are clean water, optimal light conditions and the right amount of food to avoid overfeeding.
Triops not only offer an exciting nature experience, but also an insight into the evolution and adaptability of these prehistoric creatures. If you follow the steps consistently, you will have a lot of fun observing the development of Triops and experiencing their amazing way of life up close.
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