What are Sea Monkeys?Sea Monkeys are a form of Brine Shrimp - a group of crustaceans that undergo cryptobiosis.
Cryptobiosis is an ametabolic state of life entered by an organism in response to adverse environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygen deficiency. In the cryptobiotic state, all metabolic procedures stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair. An organism in a cryptobiotic state can essentially live indefinitely until environmental conditions return to being hospitable. When this occurs, the organism will return to its metabolic state of life as it was prior to the cryptobiosis. Sea Monkeys eggs are in a state of suspended animation (Cryptobiosis) until they are added to the water where their metabolic state of life is returned. They are called Sea Monkeys because of their resemblance to Monkey tails and the fact that they live in the sea. |
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How long do Sea Monkeys live?
Individual Sea Monkeys don't live very long, anywhere from a few days to a few months. But the Sea Monkey community in your aquarium can last for several years due to their ability to reproduce very quickly.
How big are they?
At birth, the Sea-Monkeys® are very tiny, no larger than the "period " at the end of this sentence. That is why it’s possible to "overlook" them when they are first born. Since their fate is in yours hands, do not discard the formula if you don’t see them right away. To do so would be like "throwing the baby out with the bath water." Even though they start out so small, Sea-Monkeys® grow up to be between 1/2 to 3/4 an inch in length during a 4 week period. At this stage, they'll start to reproduce and have more adorable babies.
Reproduction
How does Sea-Monkeys reproduce?
The male and female can mate together sexually or the female can fertilize her own eggs, a process called parthenogenesis or "self-conception"!
How can I tell if I have any pregnant Sea-Monkeys?
The female will carry an egg sac near her stomach.
What happens if the pregnant female dies before releasing her eggs?
To insure the survival of the species, nature sometimes causes the female to release her eggs, even after death.
How many babies do Sea-Monkeys have?
They usually have about 20 offspring at a time.
How long does mating take?
Sometimes you may see your Sea-Monkeys attached for several weeks, so try to give them some privacy.
Do Sea-Monkeys get hurt while mating?
Not usually, although sometimes things can get pretty rough.
How many is too many?
Your tank will safely hold about 100 Sea-Monkeys, more than that and there may not be enough oxygen for all of them.
The babies are swimming to the surface of the tank a lot, is this ok?
They're supposed to. Baby Sea-Monkeys require more oxygen and are surfacing to get it. Baby turtles and dolphins do the same thing!
The male and female can mate together sexually or the female can fertilize her own eggs, a process called parthenogenesis or "self-conception"!
How can I tell if I have any pregnant Sea-Monkeys?
The female will carry an egg sac near her stomach.
What happens if the pregnant female dies before releasing her eggs?
To insure the survival of the species, nature sometimes causes the female to release her eggs, even after death.
How many babies do Sea-Monkeys have?
They usually have about 20 offspring at a time.
How long does mating take?
Sometimes you may see your Sea-Monkeys attached for several weeks, so try to give them some privacy.
Do Sea-Monkeys get hurt while mating?
Not usually, although sometimes things can get pretty rough.
How many is too many?
Your tank will safely hold about 100 Sea-Monkeys, more than that and there may not be enough oxygen for all of them.
The babies are swimming to the surface of the tank a lot, is this ok?
They're supposed to. Baby Sea-Monkeys require more oxygen and are surfacing to get it. Baby turtles and dolphins do the same thing!