Sea Monkeys are little brine shrimp that were invented in the 1950s and became an 'instant pet' craze. They are actually Brine Shrimp that live in a state of suspended animation until they are put into water, and then they come alive as tiny swimming monkey like creatures. They were named Sea Monkeys based on their tails, which look similar to monkeys', and also because they thrive in salty environments. The original Sea Monkeys were marketed as Artemia NYOS, and they were created by Harold von Braunhut.
They appear lifeless as a powder in the packet they come in, but are revived when they are added to a tank of distilled or purified water. Once they are in the water, they grow steadily over a few weeks and can be fed a mixture of yeast and spirulina. The salty environment also makes them resistant to infection by other microorganisms, so they can be kept without the use of antibiotics.
To prepare for growing your own Sea Monkeys, you will need a plastic or glass aquarium that is 1/2 gallon to 10 gallons in size. You will also need a pack of Sea Monkeys, a packet of water purifier, and a pack of brine shrimp growth food. The tank needs to be clean and should be free of any chemical residues or toxins before you start adding the ingredients.
When you add the water purifier, follow the instructions on the package to mix it thoroughly with the distilled or purified water. Fill the tank with this water, making sure there is no excess water at the top. You can also purchase already grown sea monkeys at some pet stores, but this takes some of the magic out of the process.
