For those of you that want to know exactly what they are...
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sea-Monkey is a
brand name of a variant (sometimes known as
Artemia nyos) of
Artemia salina, a species of
brine shrimp, 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 pet, often advertised in
comic books. Brine shrimp originate in salt lakes and salt evaporation flats.
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Biology
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.
Sea-Monkeys are a cultivated variety, possibly subspecies, of
Artemia salina (brine shrimp), sometimes classified as a new species called
Artemia nyos. They were bred for their larger size and longer lifespan, making them more suitable as pets than the original breed of brine shrimp. The
U.S. Patent 3,673,986 granted in
1972 describes this as "hatching brine shrimp or similar crustaceans in tap water 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 shrimp.
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.
Life cycle
Basically, one adds the 'water purifier' package on day one. The user is typically unaware that this package already contains eggs in addition to the salt. At day two, one adds the 'instant life eggs' package, containing
Epsom salts,
borax and
soda[
disambiguation needed], 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.
Sea-Monkeys have a biological life cycle of one year, but thanks to their ability to enter
cryptobiosis, 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.
History
Sea Monkeys 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 and son-in-law
David Horvitz.
As of
2005, there are even "Sea-Monkeys" themed
slot machines.
[1]
Other companies have distributed toys along the "Sea-Monkey" model including Wham-o and Dr. Jordan's Formulas 'THE SWARM' product.
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Why did I post this?
I was bored and my sister got them from a friend. I think she did it wrong...
You're supposed to add bottled water, the "purifier packet" wait one day then add the "eggs". She added the "eggs" a few hrs after..
It's been a day and I don't see anything lol.
Anyone else have/had Sea monkeys?
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