Triops are crustaceans that look like miniature horseshoe crabs. Larger members of the crustacean family include crabs and lobsters. Smaller members are brine shrimp, fairy shrimp and Daphnia. Triops have a relatively short lifespan of 20 to 90 days and grow quickly to a length of one to three inches. How large a Triop grows depends on the amount of light and food it receives. After hatching, Triops often double in size daily!
