Would you have sea monkies?

Question

What the **** are they anyways?

Answer 1

No, I wouldn't have them as "pets" but I could see the appeal.

What are they?

"Sea-Monkey is a brand name of a hybrid of Artemia salina, a species of brine shrimp. These are a type of fairy shrimp—not true shrimp, but a branchiopod. The term Sea-Monkeys (sometimes unhyphenated) is a trademark used to sell them as a novelty gift. They originate in salt lakes and salt evaporation flats.
Sea-Monkeys can reproduce both sexually (requiring a male and a female) and asexually. When the eggs are laid, there are fewer males than females per "litter". This is probably because they are not needed for reproduction. Females stop reproducing with the males when the males are too few.
Sea-Monkeys have been cited in studies of DNA and sexual behavior, primarily because they are commonly available specimens.

Commercial kit availability:
They were first marketed in 1957 by Harold von Braunhut as "Instant Life", though Braunhut changed the name to "Sea-Monkeys" on May 10, 1962. Many types of Sea-Monkey kits are now available. The company produces the original Ocean View tank as well as a variety of other products. The Sea-Monkeys company is now part of Educational Insights, and as of 2005 it is headed by George C. Atamian.

Sea-Monkeys are a clever piece of merchandise. In fact, these animals are nothing more than ordinary Artemia salina presented in an 'instant life' fashion. The U.S. Patent 3,673,986 granted in 1972 describes this as "hatching brine shrimps to give the appearance of instantaneous hatching." Adverts for Sea-Monkeys were widespread in comics in the 1970s, featuring drawings of smiling humanoid creatures that bore little resemblance to brine shrimps.

The key observation that allowed unhatched "Sea-Monkeys" to be cheaply packaged, shipped, and handled is that, in certain easily prepared environments, they enter cryptobiosis, a natural state of suspended animation. When released into their aquarium they leave this state and hatch.

Basically, one adds a 'purifier package' on day one. The user is unaware that this package already contains eggs in addition to the salt. At day two, one adds the 'instant eggs package', containing epsom salts, borax and soda, in addition to eggs, yeast, and a blue dye. The blue dye is used to enhance the 'instant life' experience by making the freshly hatched animals more visible. The Sea-Monkeys seen during the second day after adding the 'eggs package' are derived from the eggs added with the 'purifier' package. The food package is a mixture of spirulina and dried yeast. The 'boost' packages mainly contain salts, which induce sexual activity in artemia.
Although Sea-Monkeys have a biological life cycle of one year, the product guarantees that the Sea-Monkeys live for up to 2 years. This should be understood as the colony being able to sustain itself for two years."

- www.wikipedia.com

Answer 2

Sea monkies are itty bitty shrimp that can freeze but stay alive. They're perfect for tests and stuff because they are so tough. They're hardy little fellas!

Answer 3

I had some once & I'd like to get some more. The others have told you what they are, but I'll say that if you see them at the drug store, or toy store, or anywhere else....pick them up & take them home. Follow the directions on the box & then watch. You'll be amazed & will have a lot of fun. At least I did.

Answer 4

I like monkies, I don;t know about sea monkeys!

Answer 5

Just monkies getting a tan at the beach

Answer 6

I did as a child. they are freeze dried shrimp that come back to life in the water.

Answer 7

wow they still sell those i had them when i was a kid...they are brine shrimp but when i was a kid i dident know any better and i was amazed by them i would watch them for hours

Answer 8

No I don't do well with them. Mine always die
:(

Answer 9

lol... no... I'd let them swim in the sea! :-)

Answer 10

As a kid l did.