How to Care for Sea Monkeys by John Davis

What is a Sea-Monkey?

You might well ask the question, 'What is a sea monkey?'. Well, the sea monkey (artemia nyos) is a relative of the brine shrimp (artemia salina), and looks like a very hairy version of a mosquito larva. These creatures will end up growing to about a quarter of an inch (about 0.6cm) in length.

Sea-Monkeys are the fun lovable little creatures that are too small to hug, but are highly enjoyable if you have a hard time raising pets that need to be fed on a regular basis. The great thing is that they are virtually maintenance-free pets; these little creatures are probably one of the easiest pets to raise, and come in a package so no worrying about them wetting themselves on the way to your very own home. Not to mention you can bring them to your office too without worrying about them leaving poo poo in the corner.

In all actuality, Sea-Monkeys are nothing other than a sort of brine shrimp; in fact, they are actually hybrid brine shrimp. They have been engineered to live longer and grow larger. What fun would it be tohave a pet that lives a month then dies?

Brine shrimp are strong survivors. They have developed the ability to keep their eggs in suspended animation (cryptobiosis) for years. That means that if these little creatures' homes got all dried up for a couple years and then the rain finally gives them some swimming area, they can hatch and grow again doing their little flips and somersaults.

They came from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Sea-Monkeys are sold the world over; their eggs are freeze dried, packaged, and then distributed to sea monkey vendors. Only this kind of shrimp could survive in those living conditions. They were very commonly used as live fish food because of their high protein value.

What Can Sea-Monkeys Do besides Swim Around?

Well, nothing much really. But their instincts can be used for some fun. Sea-Monkey creator Harold von Baunhut found that the Sea-Monkeys naturally swam up-current. That means, if you introduce moving water to them, they naturally swim against it. So what can be more fun than to take your favourite sea monkey and race it against your friends? Harold then invented the Sea Monkey speed way. This little contraption would allow you to control the flow of the water so that you can race your little pets to see who is faster.Another somewhat fun thing is they naturally are attracted to light. You can take a pen light and shine itinside the aquarium and watch as they all move along with your pen. Note that you must actually move the pen, otherwise they'll all just gather around the light.

Come on in, the water's fine: To help keep your Sea-Monkeys water at a cozy 70+ degrees, pick up an aquarium thermometer from your local pet store. These inexpensive units are a thin, smallish piece of plastic that will stick right on the OUTSIDE of your Ocean-Zoo tank and help you chart the comfort-zone within.

Feeding frenzy: There seems to be some confusion over feeding Sea-Monkeys. This is due to conflicting directions inthe variety of Sea-Monkey handbooks and instruction sheets currently on the market. The Growth Foodpacket and illustrated instruction sheet states every 8 to 10 days, the new Magic Castle and old handbook says once a week, and the new handbook is amended to read every 3 days. So what's a Sea-Monkey parent to do?

This just in: Here's the latest word on feeding Sea-Monkeys according to ExploraToy. First feeding: Feed 5 days after hatching with the small end of the Aqua-Measure Spoon. Regular feedings: Continue feeding once a week with the small end of the Aqua-Measure Spoon. Adult Sea-Monkeys: As your Sea-Monkeys grow larger, use the large end of the Aqua-Measure Spoon and feed once a week.Cloudy water: If the water gets cloudy, you're over-feeding and should stop adding food until the water clears. Common sense: Employ common sense. Obviously, you would feed 5 dogs MORE food than you would feed just 1. This is the same with Sea-Monkeys. My suggestion is to begin with weekly feedings and adjust the amount and frequency based on the number of Sea-Monkeys you have, their size, and your daily observations.

What's it all about, algae: Exposure to INDIRECT sunlight is one of the BEST GIFTS you can give your Sea-Monkey pets. Natural sunlight allows algae (an underwater vegetation) to grow in the tank. This serves your briny breed in two ways: 1.) It provides them with a SCRUMPTIOUS food source they will enjoy "grazing" on, and 2.) the algae puts off oxygen providing them with an ample supply of air to breath in their watery underworld. Caution: Direct sunlight will be TOO HOT for your aqua-pets so make sure you don't accidentally cook up a batch of boiled shrimp by leaving them in DIRECT sunlight. Note: If an indirect natural sun source is not available, a grow lamp (used for plants) will also get the job done. Once again, be sure to monitor the waters temperature to keep your Sea-Monkeys comfortable and happy.

Breath of life: Sea-Monkeys need oxygen in their water in order to survive. This can be accomplished several ways;

1.) Stir the Sea-Monkey water with a plastic spoon handle, straw, or swizzle stick. This will help a little bit but it is the least desirable way of adding oxygen to your tank. Make sure the stirring device is sterile -- see "Soap duds" below.

2.) Pour the Sea-Monkey water back and forth (several times) from their tank into another sterile container. They will enjoy the ride and it will give them a breath of fresh air.

3.) The PREFERRED method is to aerate the water with a "Million-Bubble Air Pump". If one did not come with your Sea-Monkeys kit, they can be ordered from the back of your "Official Sea-Monkey Handbook".

4.) If you happen to have a low power electric aquarium pump around the house, you can use this to keep a constant flow of air streaming into your Ocean-Zoo. You'll also need a filter and some clear plastic tubing to run from the air pump to the filter in your Sea-Monkey tank. All of these items can be purchased from your local pet store. Caution: A high power air pump may cause too much motion in the water. Make sure your Sea-Monkey pets are able to swim freely and are not being violently tossed around by an extreme air flow.

Soap duds: When using ANY item that will come in contact with your Sea-Monkey's water, make sure it is washed thoroughly but do NOT use any soaps or detergents in the process. Cleansers contain chemicalsthat can kill your sea creatures. This next tip requires ADULT SUPERVISION: To insure an item is sterile, boil it in water. This will kill any bacteria or agents that may be harmful to your Sea-Monkey pets. Remember, ASK FOR ASSISTANCE!

The Carbonic Plague: The first seven days of a Sea-Monkey's life are critical. I highly recommend aerating the tank EVERY DAY for the FIRST WEEK. One of the greatest enemies for Sea-Monkeys is carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a gas which all animals naturally produce but is more important to underwater animals than to land animals. In water, some of the carbon dioxide forms a compound called carbonic acid. This is a very weak acid but it is strong enough to kill Brine Shrimp. If there is too much carbonicacid present in your tank, Sea-Monkeys cannot make use of the oxygen that is available to them. As a result, they suffocate. So for the best results (and as a precautionary measure), aerate on a daily basis the first week. And if your Sea-Monkeys begin swimming in a sluggish manner, START AERATING again immediately to supply them with oxygen and help fight off the toxic carbonic acid. To clean, or not to clean?: As your Sea-Monkeys age, sediment will begin to gather in the bottom of your tank -- a combination of food, algae, waste and un-hatched eggs. This is a natural part of the process and is not necessarily harmful to your pets. In fact, the Sea-Monkeys seem to enjoy routing around the murky basin. I choose not to clean my tanks -- rather let the process in their ecosystem continue naturally.

If you are neat by nature and demand a tidy bowl, a Sea-Monkey Aqua-Leash makes a great aquatic vacuum cleaner. It has also been reported that pouring the water through a household coffee filter is an effective way of removing the debris. Keep in mind this will also filter out any dormant eggs that residein the murk and muck.

When an adult Sea-Monkey passes on, their blackened carcass will sink to the bottom of the Ocean-Zoo floor. These deceased Sea-Monkeys should be removed. An Aqua-Leash is a handy utensil for this task as well. In a pinch, a new straw or sterile eye dropper might also serve the purpose.

A salty crew: As the name suggests, Brine Shrimp live in "brine", the name given to VERY salty water. This crustacean lives well in many places but perhaps best in two very salty lakes -- the Great Salt Lake in Utah and the Salton Sea in California. These lakes are all that is left of two very large salty seas which are steadily evaporating and becoming more salty. Only a few animals and plants can live in the extreme salty water of these lakes. One breed that thrives in these conditions is the Brine Shrimp. Once your Sea-Monkey tank is fully assembled and ingredients #1 and #2 have been added, the water has been specially formulated with the exact salt content needed for your briny pets to thrive. As water evaporates from your tank, the salt consistency will strengthen. To learn how to combat this, see "WaterEvaporation" below.

Water evaporation: As the water slowly evaporates in your Sea-Monkey tank, the salt content remains behind and the water becomes more salt concentrated. Sea-Monkeys adapt well to the gradual process of their water world becoming more salty as the water level drops. However, replenishing the water can be a shock totheir system as the salt concentration quickly changes when fresh water is added back to their tank. The

more water that has evaporated from the tank, the greater the shock to their system when the water is replaced. For this reason, it is recommended to replenish the evaporated water when the level has dropped by one or two inches in your tank. When replenishing water, it is recommended you use room temperature distilled water or boiled tap water that has been left to cool for 24 hours or until it has reached room temperature.

Pump up the volume: Here's a tip on how to make a "Million-Bubble Air Pump" a permanent part of your Ocean-Zoo aquarium. This requires ADULT SUPERVISION. You'll need HELP from a PARENT or GUARDIAN who has access to a hand drill and a 1/2" drill bit. Take the Aeration lid from your Ocean-Zoo tank and have an adult guardian drill a 1/2" hole through the top of the lid. This newly drilled hole gives your "Million-Bubble Air Pump" an opening where it can dangle in your tank and still allow you to keep your Sea-Monkey tank covered at all times. This makes it really EASY to give your pets a "squirt" of air any time you pass their tank. And we all know, when it comes to Sea-Monkeys, oxygen is a GOOD THING!

Interior decorating: A common desire is to want to add aquarium decorations to the inside of your Sea-Monkey tank. While this is a fun idea, it can be risky business. The wrong item could contain chemicals that will kill your Sea-Monkey family. ExploraToy's NEW Ghostly Galleon kit comes with a glow-in-the-dark sunken ship that lies in the bottom of the Ocean-Zoo. It's GUARANTEED SAFE and looks GREAT. Another way of adding interest to your tank is to draw an underwater scene (called a seascape or a diorama) on a piece of paper (3.5" wide x 4" tall) and tape it to the outside of your Ocean-Zoo aquarium with the drawing facing inward. It's a GREAT art project for you to do on a rainy day and it provides a scenic backdrop that both you and your pets can ENJOY.

1. What are Sea-Monkeys?

Sea-Monkeys are a hybrid species of brine shrimp called Artemia nyos.

2. What is the lifecycle of Sea-Monkeys?

The Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys are GUARANTEED to live two years.

3. Can I feed the Sea-Monkeys fish food?

No. Sea-Monkeys must be fed their special Growth Food.

4. What does it mean when the water starts getting cloudy?

You are feeding the Sea-Monkeys too often or too much. Allow the water to become clear before feeding them again.

5. What should I do when the water evaporates?

When the water level in the tank has gone down one inch, refill with boiled tap water or bottled water.

6. Do I need to add more Water Purifier when I add more water to the tank?

No. The Water Purifier is a one-time formula; it only needs to be added when you start the system.

7. Can I use tap water in the Sea-Monkey tanks?

No. You can only use boiled tap water or bottled water.

8. What do I do if all of the Sea-Monkeys die and I want to bring them back to life?

Allow all the water in the tank to evaporate (this may take several weeks) Add fresh bottled water and 1 package of water purifier Stir Wait a few days and you should see newly hatched baby Sea-Monkeys

9. Can Sea-Monkeys withstand warm temperatures?

They grow best in warm room temperatures above 70 degrees F.

10. Where can I buy more Sea-Monkeys supplies?

You can order Sea-Monkeys supplies from:Transcience Corp.P.O. Box 809Bryans Road, MD 20616

11. Is there a phone number I can call to order Sea-Monkeys supplies?

No. The best and quickest way to place a Sea-Monkeys supplies order is by mail or fax to:Transcience Corp.P.O. Box 809Bryans Road, MD 20616Fax number: (301)375-9050The Sea-Monkeys parts and supplies list can be found on Pages 26-29 in the Sea- Monkeys Handbook.

12. Does the Sea-Monkeys supplier have an email address?

Not at this time.

History

Who in their Right Mind Could Think of Fish Food as Pets?

None other than the guy who invented X-ray Spex! A man by the name of Harold von Braunhut. This man saw a great, instant pet that could teach children around the world the oddities of nature. Harold decided to market Sea-Monkeys in 1957.

Originally the Sea-Monkeys didn't sell at all. It wasn't that no one was buying them, it was that no one wanted to sell them! So Harold got the idea to place an ad for 'instant life' inside comic books. Before you knew it, the sea monkey orders were flying in.

From Shrimp to Monkeys

Three generations of Americans who have been enticed by ads in the back of comic books, have grown up nurturing, naming, and staring goggle-eyed in fascination at the little flecks whose resemblance to monkeys requires a little imagination.

To von Braunhut, 72 years old and preternaturally brimming with imagination, it's right there plainly before your eyes.

After he introduced his creatures in 1960, then named Instant-Life (which really does occur, through a highly guarded interplay of osmosis, and controlled pH fluctuation), he began marketing the kit under that name. But while Instant-Life smacks of drama, it wasn't until he noticed the little shrimps' tails thathe had his decade-spanning, iconic moniker. "I looked at these animals and they're the cutest things in the world and I noticed they have little monkey-like tails," von Braunhut relates in his thick New York accent. "I said, "Those are cute little sea monkeys.' So we checked the trademark register with my patent attorney, and he says, 'Hey there are no sea monkeys.' That was in 1964."

Super Sea-Monkeys

By then, von Braunhut, who had been ridiculed for his "not just crazy, but absolutely insane" Sea-Monkey idea, had found modest success with his grass-roots marketing. But while von Braunhut had been able to master the instant life process with the help of a marine biologist at the New York Ocean Science laboratory in Montauk, N.Y., he was still having a little trouble with the monkeys' longevity. It was rare that the little fellas lived to see the end of their first month, and consumers were getting frustrated.

But like the shrimp, Latin name Artemia Nyos, whose eggs can lie dormant in salt flats with the spark of life intact awaiting the right conditions, Sea-Monkeys were indomitable, alternately prospering and waning, being out of vogue, and then springing forth again.

Throughout von Braunhut and his partners worked diligently, placing financial returns back into research. This led to two refinements, one in 1970 and one in 1995, which have resulted in a larger, hardier and haler Sea-Monkeys. Almost Sea Apes. So hardy, the packaging now boasts they're absolutely guaranteed to live two years.

Still Going Strong

The company too is faring better with the partnering of ExploraToy, a southern California company who bought licensing rights in 1995. This year saw the release of a flashy new phosphorescent tank for the Monkeys called the Ghostly Galleon, and the next two years will bring the release of both a nostalgia kit and a special millennium pack.

"It's really a priceless brand name," says George Atamian, vice president of ExploraToy. "We just got a very nice hand-written letter from a young girl who just did a Sea-Monkey project at school, and she went on to describe at great length why she loved Sea-Monkeys. They're totally friendly, they don't eat each other, they're total herbivores, they grow, they mate, and they have babies."

These features, coupled with our voracious appetite for nostalgia, has fueled an explosion of interest. TV shows, electronic media, and more leveraging of the brand name is happening apace. Sea-Monkeys,

their packaging claims, have even traveled on two successful space missions for lab research.

What Could be Next?

But for Von Braunhut, it's not enough. He always meant to go further up the evolutionary scale than thediminutive critters. Remember the hermit crab craze of the 1980s. That was him, marketing the little crustaceans as Crazy Crabs.

He holds almost 200 patents to his name, (including another comics favorite, the X-Ray Spex) and has been tinkering for years at his Maryland conservatory to introduce a new strain of pet lobster, an InstantFrog, and a strange "bear-like creature that survives dried up for decades without food, water or oxygen, yet revives, walks and feeds when just a drop of water touches him."

For now, these remain in the realm of research. Von Braunhut's lobster strain hasn't been as consistent as he demands one of his creations be, and so he's back to the lab.

He is a somewhat changed man, however, for having worked so closely with a higher life form. "Our pet lobsters, they'll rap the side of their tank with their claw, to tell you to get something for them to eat," von Braunhut laments. "That's why I got ruined, absolutely ruined for eating lobster."

Despite the fact that shrimp made him famous and brought in millions of dollars, langoustine and prawns are not accorded the same respect. He still eats those "occasionally, just occasionally," he says with a chuckle in his voice. "But I always eat them with guilt."