T. longicaudatus is your “garden variety” triops. This is the species that gets sold throughout the world in triops kits. It is the most studied of all the Triops and Lepidurus species and, hence, the one we know the most about.* As mentioned elsewhere, because it is studied more than any other species genetic data suggest that there are probably several if not dozens of subspecies currently lumped together as a single macrospecies. At the level of gross anatomy, there are two distinct morphs: a long form and a short form which can be distinguished by the number of segments/tail length not coverd by the carapace.
Major species
Triops longicaudatus
Subspecies
none official*
Range
- North America
- United States (also in Hawaii but not Alaska)
- Mexico
- Central America
- South America
- Japan
- West Indies
- Galapogos Islands
- New Caledonia
Habitat
Temporary waters (a common inhabitant of rice fields in the U.S. and Japan)
Temperature range
Minimum Temp: 18°C (60°F) Maximum Temp: 30°C (86°F)
Body ring/segments
35 – 44, 5 – 12 apodous in females, 10 – 14 apodous in males
Appendages
54 – 66
Notable characters
Second maxilla is absent
Reproduction
Bisexual (with both male and female biased populations known), unisexual, and hermaphroditic
Life span
Approximately 80-90 days. Usually half this in an Aquarium.
- {Living fossil} - Fossil have been found and back to more than 220 million years ago. They are thougt to have been on the planet even longer than that, up to 350 million years
- {Just add water} for watch the prehistoric sea creature egg hatch and come to life
- { Make your own ancient environment }
- {Learn fun facts} from seeing the life cycle of your ancient pets
- { 1 set include } 50 triops eggs in capsule and get free bubble air stone
