How to Care for Triop Shrimp

Triop shrimp are a type of shrimp that have been in existence for over 200 million years. That means that they have been around since the dinosaurs. Triops are unique because their appearance has remained nearly the same throughout this time. As a result, triop shrimp can serve as interesting pets. Caring for these creatures is relatively simple, and can be done by following a few simple guidelines.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Coral sand or gravel
  • Mineral water
  • Under gravel filter
  • Bubbler
  • Fish food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a clear aquarium or container that holds at least one gallon of water to house your triop shrimp. Since these creatures spend most of their time at the bottom, it's not important to have a tall aquarium. Instead, it's better to have a long aquarium.

    • 2

      Line the bottom of the aquarium with either coral sand or gravel. This will provide your triop shrimp with some material to root around in. This will help to imitate their natural habitat. These materials can be found in most pet stores and some retail stores.

    • 3

      Fill the aquarium with mineral water. Regular tap water contains chemicals that can potentially harm triop shrimp. If you can't find mineral water, then spring water also works as an alternative. You should also try to maintain a water temperature between 72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. That is the ideal temperature for triops and should increase their odds of surviving.

    • 4

      Install an under-gravel filter and bubbler to provide an optimal habitat for your triop shrimp. An under-gravel filter is ideal because it prevents hatchlings and small triops from getting sucked down. A bubbler is beneficial because it helps to maintain a healthy level of oxygen.

    • 5

      Feed your triop shrimp at least twice a day. These creatures will eat pretty much anything, so most types of fish food will work. Although floating fish food will work, it's best to give triops sinking food. This is because they spend the majority of their time near the bottom. You can also place some plants at the bottom so that your triops can eat some organic food as well. An Amazon Sword plant works well for this.

    • 6

      Change out at least 25 percent of the water on a weekly basis. This will help keep the pH at a safe level and keep your triops healthy. Remove water using a siphon filter, then replace it with fresh mineral or spring water.