Tadpole Shrimp

Care Guide / Instructions

Temperature Consideration: Different Tadpole shrimp species thrive at different temperatures. Refer to the temperature ranges below for optimal conditions for most species of each genus.

Warm water species: 70 to 80°F

• Triops longicaudatus

• Triops australiensis

• Triops granarius

  
  

Cool water species: 50 to 75°F

• Triops cancriformis

• Triops mauritanicus

• Lepidurus couesii

• Lepidurus lemmoni

• Lepidurus apus

  
  

Cold water species: 32 to 60°F

• Lepidurus articus

Container Size: Choose a glass container with a capacity of 1 to 3 gallons. Use bleach to clean the container; do not use soap or any detergents as the residue can be harmful.

Lighting: Place the tank near a sunny window or provide LED lighting for approximately 8 hours daily to mimic the natural day cycle.

Water: Spring water is a great option as it contains necessary minerals for most shrimp to thrive.

Substrate: Add 1 cup of substrate per gallon of water. A combination of 4 parts sand, and 1 part compost (rinsed) are highly effective for most species. Additional minerals may be required contingent upon species for optimal growth.

Microorganism Growth: The compost contains bacteria, algae, and fungi that tadpole shrimp will eat and is a good source of detritus. Allow the water to sit for 1 to 2 days before introducing the eggs to let these microbes grow.

Aeration: This step is not required but can be beneficial. Using an air pump to increase aeration will enhance hatching rates, help increase algae and support a higher number of tadpole shrimps. Use a light flow of air, as tadpole shrimps are not strong swimmers and can be easily injured.

Adding Eggs: Introduce half of the egg packet to ensure more eggs to work with if the first batch does not succeed. Hatching should occur 1 to 3 days after exposure to water for most species.

Tadpole Shrimp Care:

Hatching: After a few days, the tadpole shrimp eggs should hatch. At this stage, they will be barely visible to the naked eye. Darken the room and shine a flashlight into the side of the container to view them, as they are attracted to bright lights.

Initial Feeding: Crush one food pellet and evenly spread it across the tank. You can use two spoons to crush the pellet.

Feeding Baby Shrimps: Wait a few days before feeding the baby tadpole shrimps more crushed pellets. Once they become recognizable and start swimming, provide a crushed pellet for every two shrimps. Feed every three days, ensuring they consume all the food.

Avoid Overfeeding: Be cautious not to overfeed, as excessive waste buildup can be detrimental to your tadpole shrimps.

Water Maintenance: Avoid water changes; instead, slowly add water to refill the water level if necessary. As the water evaporates, top it off with fresh spring water. If a "scum" develops on the water surface, gently remove it with a piece of paper towel.

Long-Term Care:

Maintenance: Continue to monitor water quality, feeding habits, and overall condition to ensure the well-being of your tadpole shrimps.

Water Quality: Keep an eye on water quality as the shrimps grow. If you notice the water becoming discolored (brown or green), it's a sign of diminishing water quality. Consider transferring the shrimps to a larger container or adding a bubble filter to improve water circulation and filtration.

Shrimp Growth: As the tadpole shrimps grow larger, adjust the feeding amount to one pellet per shrimp. You can also introduce small chunks of carrot or cucumber as additional food sources.

Lifespan: With consistent care, tadpole shrimp have a lifespan of about 6 to 8 weeks, after which they will start to die off from old age; however, some may live longer than 8 weeks.