Triops Instructions
Materials and First Steps
Before starting to raise your Triops, careful preparation is essential. You'll need a small breeding tank with a volume of 3–4 liters, which should fit inside your larger aquarium later on. The large aquarium will not only serve as a habitat for the Triops but can also be used during the breeding phase to indirectly heat the small tank. To do this, a heating rod is placed in the large aquarium, and the small tank is suspended in the water to maintain a constant temperature.
For the substrate in the small tank, fine sand is recommended. To support the ecological balance and provide hiding places and food sources, aquatic plants such as waterweed or moss balls should be added. The tank should be placed near a window, but direct sunlight should be avoided.
Preparing the Water
Triops require soft water with a pH level between 6 and 7 (up to 8 is also acceptable) and an electrical conductivity (EC value) of 200–400 µS/cm. To achieve these values, it’s best to mix 75% distilled water with 25% mineral-rich, still water (such as Gerolsteiner Still). This ratio provides the ideal conditions for the eggs and the Triops that will later hatch.
If you’re unsure about the water quality, you can use a water conditioner to remove impurities and adjust the parameters. This adds extra security for the delicate Triops eggs.
Setting Up the Rearing Tank
Cover the bottom of the small breeding tank with a thin layer of sand. Place the aquatic plants in a way that allows them to produce oxygen and absorb nutrients from the water. They stabilize the ecological balance of the tank, provide shelter for the Triops, and serve as food.
The small tank is placed into the large aquarium, which is heated to about 25°C with a heater. This method allows for indirect and even heating of the small tank. Regularly check the temperature with a thermometer to avoid fluctuations and prevent the formation of a skin on the surface.
After preparing the tank and cycling the water, the Triops eggs can be introduced. Only use pure Triops eggs that contain no additional substances or materials. To prevent the eggs from sticking to the sides of the tank, it is recommended to place them in a small floating ring. Once the eggs are in the water, the tank should not be moved.
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Most Triops hatch within 1 to 2 days, depending on the species. However, for some species, hatching may take over a week. If the eggs hatch in less than 10 hours, the water temperature is too high and should be adjusted. Ensure that the water quality and temperature conditions described in the first section are met.
In the evening, shine a smartphone flashlight sideways into the tank to check if the eggs have hatched. Newly hatched Triops appear as tiny white dots jerking through the water.
If no Triops are visible after several days, check the water parameters again to ensure the conditions are correct. Triops eggs are a natural product, and it can happen that no eggs hatch or the conditions were not optimal. In this case, do not discard the eggs. Pour the tank's contents onto a cloth or carefully filter out the eggs. The Triops eggs are still viable and simply did not hatch. Allow the eggs to dry for about a week, then try hatching them again.
Feeding the Triops begins 24 hours after hatching. For the first 3–5 days, feed the newly hatched Triops 3 times a day with a small amount of algae powder. Use the tip of a toothpick and ensure the water only takes on a slight greenish tint. This method prevents overfeeding and maintains stable water quality.
After 3–5 days, you can gradually transition to rearing food. Once the Triops reach a size of about three millimeters, feed them exclusively rearing food twice a day. It’s important to dose sparingly—provide only as much as the Triops can consume within a few hours, and remove any leftovers to keep the water clean.
After 2–3 weeks, when the Triops are moved to the aquarium, switch to staple food and feed them about 2–3 times a day. Additionally, you can occasionally offer small amounts of vegetables such as carrots or bell peppers to enrich their diet.
Always adjust feeding to the size and age of the Triops. Ensure no excess food remains in the water to avoid compromising their development.
The Triops spend their first weeks in the breeding tank. Starting on the third day after hatching, evaporated water in the breeding tank can be replaced with water from the aquarium. This should be done carefully to avoid disturbing the Triops.
During water changes, top off the breeding tank with water from the future aquarium to gradually acclimate the Triops to the new water parameters. Since water is being removed from the aquarium, it should be replenished immediately with fresh, prepared water to keep the aquarium fully filled and the water parameters stable.
About a week after hatching, one-third of the water in the breeding tank can be changed for the first time. This one-third is replaced with fresh water from the aquarium to slowly acclimate the Triops to the new water conditions.
When the Triops are about 2–3 weeks old or reach a size of approximately 1 cm, the gradual water change is done over a period of three days. On the third day, about 12 hours after the last water change, the Triops can be carefully transferred to the aquarium. The transfer should be done gently to avoid stressing them:
Day 1: Remove one-third of the water in the breeding tank and replace it with water from the aquarium.
Day 2: Another third of the water is replaced.
Day 3: Half of the remaining water is changed. 12 hours later, the Triops are transferred.
Welcome to the Triops Instructions! Here, you'll find all the essential information to successfully care for and breed your Triops. Explore the "Triops Eggs" category to learn more about the different Triops species, their needs, and the best conditions for raising them.
Our gallery offers a collection of pictures and videos to assist you with breeding and care. Frequently asked questions are summarized in the FAQ section to quickly provide answers to all important queries.