Triops - prehistoric crab

The primeval crabs from the genus Triops are bred from permanent eggs. The breeding is actually quite simple, and the small primordial crayfish are great to watch aquarium animals. Here in our online store you can buy everything from sand-egg mixtures to starter sets with detailed breeding instructions and complete sets for breeding the funny prehistoric crayfish to suitable food, which you need for a successful Triops breeding.

For breeding, prepare the sand-egg mixture with distilled water and place the container in bright light, but not in direct sunlight. About 80% of the nauplii will hatch after two to three days. If this is the case, you can slowly fill up the rearing tank with more water. Depending on the Triops species you will need a small aquarium heater or a heating mat. Lighting is important, because only light triggers a hatching stimulus in the cysts. In summer daylight might be sufficient, in the other seasons you need additional lighting for a good hatching rate.

From the second day on feed the larvae carefully very small amounts of chlorella powder or spirulina powder, a toothpick tip is sufficient. Feed them only when the water is clear again. After two weeks switch to the higher protein rearing food we offer here, and when the animals are about 2 cm long switch to our main food. In nature small Triops eat mainly algae and protozoa, larger specimens then detritus, plant fibers and small crustaceans. They also do not say no to small worms. It cannot be excluded that Triops eat each other.

Larger Triops thrive best in soft tap water, which should be well stagnant, with water conditioner that eliminates heavy metals and the like. Osmosis water, Volvic, or rainwater filtered with activated carbon are also best for Triops breeding. In these cases you should add some GH+ hardening salt for shrimp to provide the animals with the necessary minerals.

A Triops aquarium needs a substrate of fine gravel or sand, because prehistoric crayfish love to burrow and also lay their eggs in sand. Root wood and stones are well suited as decoration, soft-leaved plants are eaten. Anubias, on the other hand, have a chance, but even without plants a Triops aquarium works well.

Once the large Triops reach the end of their life after 2 to 3 months, they die.  This is a normal part in their life cycle, Triops in nature often inhabit temporary waters that dry up anyway, and are perfectly adapted to this by their reproductive cycle. When all Triops have died, keep the aquarium running for about 14 days to allow the egg cysts to develop properly. Then drain the water and let the sand dry out completely at room temperature. When it is completely dry, you can start the next batch.

Due to their voraciousness Triops are less suitable for socializing with shrimps, snails or fish, we definitely recommend a species tank.

We supply different Triops species to choose from and rearing food as well as staple food for your Triops.

Available species of Triops:

Triops longicaudatus
These primeval crabs from America (Triops longicaudatus) grow very fast and swim briskly. They become sexually mature within two weeks and then lay eggs. Triops longicaudatus needs a water temperature of about 24-28 °C. Triops longicaudatus grow to 5-7 cm long and live about 60-90 days. The longis have a shimmering gray carapace and a strikingly long tail. Approximately every 4th egg in the egg-sand mixture hatches during the first infusion.

Available sets:

• Breeding set / egg-sand-mixture with approx. 50 eggs of Triops longicaudatus
• Starter set, consisting of 1 x breeding kit (egg-sand-mixture) with eggs of Triops longicaudatus, 5 grams Spirulina algae powder for the first two weeks, 1 x breeding instructions with useful information, tips and tricks for beginners and advanced breeders
• Triops longicaudatus complete set - beginner I, consisting of a Triops breeding tank made of plastic (18 x 11 x 14 cm), 500 g aquarium sand (optimal for Triops), cleaning set, breeding instructions, 5 grams juvenile food, 5 grams staple food, breeding set Triops longicaudatus with Triops eggs
• Triops longicaudatus primeval crabs complete set Advanced I, consisting of a breeding tank / Faunabox (23x16x17cm), 1 kilogram aquarium sand 0.1 - 0.9 mm grain size, conditioner bag for improving the water quality, glass thermometer with suction cup with a display of 0 - 50 °Celsius, pipette, shrimp net, Heating mat 7,5 Watt, 5 grams of juvenile food, 15 grams of rearing food, 15 grams of main food, 15 grams of cichlid granulate, breeding kit with eggs of Triops longicaudatus, detailed rearing instructions with many tips and tricks for your own primeval crayfish breeding, cleaning kit consisting of syringe and hose

Triops longicaudatus "Red"
This is the albinotic red color form of Triops longicaudatus from America. The red blood shimmers through the transparent carapace and gives the primeval crabs their beautiful bright red color. The keeping conditions of the Red Longis are the same as for the wild colored Triops longicaudatus (see above).

Available kits:

• Breeding kit / egg-sand-mixture with eggs of Triops longicaudatus "Red
• Starter set, consisting of 1 x breeding kit (egg-sand-mixture) with eggs of Triops longicaudatus "Red", 5 grams Spirulina algae powder for the first two weeks, 1 x breeding manual with useful information, tips and tricks for beginners and advanced breeders

Triops cancriformis
The summer shield crayfish Triops cancriformis from Europe is a super primeval crayfish for beginners. It does not grow quite as large, is quite hardy, tolerates cooler temperatures of 22-24 °C and likes soft to medium hard water. It becomes sexually mature within two weeks, the females then lay their eggs. In Triops cancriformis, in addition to permanent eggs, a few instant cysts also occur, from which nauplii hatch again directly. Triops cancriformis grow up to 120 days older than other species and are less cannibalistic. Triops cancriformis have a relatively short tail and appear somewhat more bulky. They grow to 4-12 cm in length.

Triopscancriformis Germany
Triops from Germany come from biotopes in Brandenburg. They are rather brown-reddish in color.

Available sets:

• Breeding set (egg-sand mixture) with about 50 eggs of Triops cancriformis from Germany
• Starter set, consisting of breeding stock (egg-sand mixture) with approx. 50 eggs of Triops cancriformis from Germany, 5 grams of juvenile food, 5 grams of staple food for feeding from the age of two weeks, water conditioner, breeding instructions with useful information, tips and tricks for beginners and advanced breeders

Triops cancriformis Austria
Triops from Austria remain slightly smaller at 4-6 cm and are more brown-greenish in color.

Available kits:

• Breeding set (egg-sand-mixture) with approx. 50 eggs of Triops cancriformis from Austria
• Starter set, consisting of breeding stock (egg-sand mixture) with approx. 50 eggs of Triops cancriformis from Austria, 5 grams Spirulina algae powder for the first two weeks,  breeding instructions with useful information, tips and tricks for beginners and advanced breeders

Triops cancriformis "Beni Kabuto ebi Albino"
This is the albino form of Triops cancriformis. The red blood shines through the transparent carapace, therefore the primeval crabs appear red. The carapace can appear slightly marbled. The Beni Kabuto ebi albino also grows to 4-6 cm in size.

Available kits:

• Breeding kit (egg-sand mixture) with eggs of Triops cancriformis "Beni Kabuto ebi Albino"
• Starter set, consisting of breeding stock (egg-sand mixture) of Triops cancriformis "Beni Kabuto ebi Albino", 5 g Spirulina algae powder for the first two weeks, breeding instructions with useful information, tips and tricks for beginners and advanced breeders

The Triops rearing food from Triops King in best quality for Triops at the age of approx. 2 - 4 weeks has a high algae content. The Triops rearing food is very well digestible, does not cloud the water and does not decompose in the water. It contains enough nutrients for a healthy carapace, smooth molting and healthy growth of Triops.

Store in a cool, dry place, no refrigerator required.
Not for human use! Keep away from children!
Content: 15 grams
Declaration: Complete food for primeval crustaceans
Distributor: Benjamin Schneider, Am Kalkofen 9, 86845 Großaitingen, Germany

The Triops King staple food for primeval crayfish from the age of about 2 weeks, contains everything Triops need in nutrients for healthy growth, good egg formation, beautiful colors and lively behavior. Thanks to high-quality ingredients, the water in the Triops aquarium does not become cloudy. Pellets that are too large can be easily broken up.

Store in a cool, dry place, no refrigerator required.
Not for human use! Keep away from children!
Content: 5 g
Declaration according to the German Feed Regulation: Complete feed for primeval crustaceans
Distributor: Benjamin Schneider, Am Kalkofen 9, 86845 Großaitingen, Germany