Triops are way better but anytime I've hatched them I usually start off with about half a dozen and it comes down to the ALMIGHTY ONE that eats all the rest
You could hatch the brime shrimp too if you have any fry to feed. When I bred angel fish they were the best fry food.
Never had an airstone in mine just did a small water change once a week so the water didn't go stagnent and stink up my living room, I think mine lived about 3 months and was nearly 2 inches when he finally died. Crazy cool man!