Mary Allen
Tadpole crabs are among the oldest animals on earth, they have been around for millions of years. In particular, the two species Artemia and Triops inspire young and experienced aquarists with their primeval appearance. Since the breeding of Tadpole Shrimp does not have any special requirements, this hobby is becoming increasingly popular, especially among children.
Where do Tadpole Shrimp Come From and How Old Are They?
Tadpole Shrimp is an ancient crustacean group. It can be assumed that they originated in the sea. The oldest species is the fairy crab, which has probably been around for over 500 million years. Predatory fish was probably the reason why Tadpole Shrimp had to move from the sea to inland waters around 200 million years ago. So today they are mostly found in salt lakes or in ponds. By forming permanent stages, they can survive dry periods. Tadpole crabs are also considered to be “living fossils”.
Tadpole Shrimp: the Genus Triops
Triops have a unique behavior in the animal kingdom. The Triops grows extremely fast. It is sexually mature after about ten days and fully grown after a month. His body weight increases a thousandfold during this time. If Triops eat food, it will be digested and excreted after half an hour. A trip eats up to 40% of its total body weight every day. Incidentally, the troops owe its name to the third eye that sits between the two compound eyes. Unfortunately, the function of this eye has not yet been researched in detail.