tadpole shrimp; shield shrimp
Refers to small freshwater crustaceans of the order Notostraca, especially Triops species, known for their shield-like carapace. Often kept as pets or studied in schools.
I found a tadpole shrimp in the rice paddy.
Tadpole shrimps are called living fossils.
ミジンコ (water flea) is a much smaller freshwater crustacean, while カブトエビ is larger with a distinct shield shape.
ホウネンエビ (fairy shrimp) is another freshwater crustacean often found in similar habitats, but lacks the shield-like carapace.
Katakana spelling is standard for this organism; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling using 兜 (helmet) and 蝦 (shrimp); rarely used.
Alternate kanji spelling using 海老 (shrimp); rarely used.
Compound of 兜 (kabuto, 'helmet') + 海老/蝦 (ebi, 'shrimp'), from the helmet-like shape of the carapace. The exact derivation is straightforward; the word is a modern descriptive compound.