👉 Cannibalism among triops: Why they eat each other and what you can do about it

Anyone who has ever bred triops knows that these prehistoric creatures can appear peaceful as they swim around the tank, digging and searching for food. But behind their innocent appearance lies a behaviour that surprises many breeders: cannibalism among triops. Hardly any other characteristic in triops breeding causes so much fascination, but also so many losses. If you breed triops, sooner or later you will witness one animal chasing or even eating another. This behaviour is by no means rare – on the contrary, cannibalism among triops is part of the natural behaviour of these animals. But why does this happen in the first place, and what can you do about it?

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Cannibalism among triops: Why triops eat each other

Triops are omnivores and often face fluctuating food supplies in their natural habitat. When food becomes scarce, they exhibit instinctive behaviour: they resort to whatever is available, even if it is a fellow species.

Cannibalism among triops is therefore a survival mechanism that has proven itself over hundreds of millions of years. In the temporary bodies of water where triops live, time is short. The puddles often dry up after a few weeks, and in this short time the animals must grow, mate and lay eggs. Those that grow faster have a better chance of reproducing. And those that eat other triops simply grow faster.

There is another factor: Triops are curious and territorial. They constantly explore their surroundings with their antennae and react to movement. If a smaller or weaker Triops moves, it can immediately awaken the hunting instinct of the larger one. So it is not always pure hunger that triggers cannibalism among Triops; often it is simply their innate instinct.

When cannibalism occurs most frequently

Cannibalism among triops is particularly noticeable in the first two weeks after hatching. During this phase, there are large differences in size between the individual animals, as not all nauplii hatch at the same time. The larger triops therefore have a clear advantage: they eat smaller or weaker conspecifics in order to further extend their lead.

Timing also plays a role in feeding. If you do not feed your triops regularly, they are more likely to attack each other. However, even with plenty of food, cannibalism among triops can never be completely ruled out. Some species, such as Triops longicaudatus or Triops cancriformis, are particularly voracious and more likely to eat other triops.

How you can reduce cannibalism

Ganz verhindern kannst du den Kannibalismus unter Triops nicht, aber du kannst ihn deutlich reduzieren. Eine ausgewogene Fütterung ist dabei das Wichtigste. Triops sollten ab dem dritten Tag regelmäßig und in kleinen Mengen gefüttert werden. Besonders gut eignen sich feine Futtermischungen mit Spirulina, entkapselten Artemiaeiern oder spezielles Triops-Futter.

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Also make sure there is enough space in the tank. If triops live too close together, aggression increases. For about ten triops, the breeding tank should contain at least ten litres of water. If you notice that some animals are growing significantly larger than others, you can move them to a separate tank. This gives the smaller triops a chance to survive.

Another factor is temperature. At higher temperatures, triops grow faster and are more active, which can also increase cannibalism among triops. A moderate temperature of 24 to 26 °C is therefore usually ideal.

Hiding places can also help. If you place small stones, plants or structures in the tank, smaller triops can hide better. This reduces the risk of them being eaten by larger ones.

Cannibalism as part of evolution

As cruel as it may seem, cannibalism among triops is a natural part of their life cycle. In nature, it serves to ensure the survival of the fittest. Only the strongest and most adaptable triops reproduce and lay their durable eggs. These eggs survive dry periods and are the key to the next generation.

It can therefore be said that cannibalism among triops is a form of natural selection. Without this behaviour, triops might never have survived for so long. This strategy has proven itself for over 220 million years – from the age of the dinosaurs to the present day.

Cannibalism among Triops – Conclusion

If you breed triops, sooner or later you will be confronted with the issue of cannibalism among triops. It is completely normal and part of the nature of these fascinating prehistoric crustaceans. However, you can significantly reduce the risk with the right feeding, sufficient space and suitable conditions. Instead of seeing cannibalism as a problem, you should understand it as an exciting insight into nature. It shows how adaptable and instinct-driven triops really are – and how closely they remain connected to their prehistoric past. Because one thing is certain: cannibalism among triops is not only a survival instinct, but also a fascinating window into the evolution of these ancient creatures.

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Sladjan Lazic

Sladjan ist Triops-Züchter und Gründer von Triops Galaxy. Im Jahr 2020 hat er seine Leidenschaft für Urzeitkrebse entdeckt und züchtet seitdem diese faszinierenden Urzeitwesen in heimischer Zucht.

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Cannibalism among Triops: a fascinating yet shocking behaviour