Immature tadpole shrimp size

May 20, 2013

Immature tadpole shrimp size

May 20, 2013

I was asked the other day what do immature tadpole shrimp (TPS) look like. Young TPS look pretty much like the older ones, just smaller. The very first instar, which remains inside the egg for a few hours, looks somewhat different, but you are not going to see this instar in the field with the naked eye. A few hours later they molt and look more like regular TPSs. Here's a picture of a few of them a few days later swimming belly up. Notice the rice grain floating next to them for size comparison.

IMG 0575


By Luis Espino
Author - Rice Farming Systems Advisor