Content

• Steps

The sea monkeys are not actually monkeys and do not live in the ocean. They are a saltwater shrimp bred in the 1950s and quickly gained popularity as an easy-to-care pet and a nutritious fish live food. Sea monkeys hatch in chlorinated saltwater and usually appear within 24 hours, after which they will develop into tiny transparent shrimp with tail-like tails. Sea monkeys are easy pets, but you should always keep the water clean and give them enough oxygen.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Installation of tanks

1. 

   Use clean plastic containers. Many packages of sea monkey eggs come with a small plastic tank to incubate and build a house for sea monkeys. If the package you bought does not have a tank, you can use a clean plastic container that holds at least 2 liters of water. Choose a box with a deep bottom, as sea monkeys often like to swim at the bottom of the tank.

2. 

   
   
   Pour 2 liters of distilled water into the tank. You can use bottled water, distilled water, or anything else that doesn't contain chlorine. Avoid carbonated or tap water, as it often contains fluoride and other minerals that can be harmful to sea monkeys.
   • Once you've filled the tank, place the tank indoors so that the water is warm to room temperature. This will make the water warm enough for the eggs to hatch.
   • You will also need to use an aeration pump for your water tank at least 1-2 times per day.

3. 

   
   
   Add water filter chemicals to the tank. A water purifier is a pack of salt that is available in a pack of sea monkey eggs when you buy it in a store or online. This chemical contains salt, a key element for sea monkeys to hatch and thrive.
   • When you sprinkle the salt pack in the water, be sure to stir it and let the tank sit at room temperature for another day or 36 hours before adding the eggs.

4. 

   
   
   Put the egg packs in the water and wait for them to hatch. Use a clean plastic spoon to stir the water in the tank after you add the eggs. Sea monkey eggs look like tiny spots in the water. But don't worry, they will hatch within 5 days and start swimming wildly around the tank.
   • Aerate at least 1-2 times daily while the eggs are hatching to ensure there is enough oxygen in the water for the eggs to grow and hatch.
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Part 2 of 4: Feeding the sea monkeys

1. 

   Start to feed the sea monkeys on the 5th day after hatching. Instead of feeding the sea monkeys immediately after hatching, you should wait 5 days and feed on the fifth day. Sea monkey food is usually available in the sea monkey egg package.
   • Use the small end of the feeding spoon to sprinkle a teaspoon of food into the tank. You should give sea monkeys 1 teaspoon of food every 2 days. Do not use fish food or any food other than sea monkey food.

2. 

   Feed sea monkeys their own food every 5 days. You should feed your monkeys every 5 days to keep them healthy and happy. Don't overfeed them, as sea monkeys will often die if overfed.
   • Sea monkeys have a transparent body, meaning that you can see their digestive system if you look closely. Once the sea monkey's digestive tract is full, you should see a black stripe down the middle of the monkey's body. Once the waste is expelled, its digestive tract will clear again.

3. 

   Reduce the amount of food for sea monkeys if algae grow in the tank. Over time, green algae will begin to appear in the tank. The tank can also smell like grass, like freshly cut lawn. This is a good sign, as green algae will feed the sea monkeys and keep them healthy. You can switch to sea monkeys once a week as green algae form and grow in the tank.
   • You also don't have to bother cleaning the tank once the algae start to grow. The tank may be green and full of algae, but this is actually very healthy and good for sea monkeys.
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Part 3 of 4: Tank maintenance

1. 

   Aerate the tank 2 times a day. Sea monkeys need oxygen to thrive in the tank. Without oxygen, they will turn pink and move slowly or lethargically. To make sure you get enough oxygen, aerate it 2 times a day, morning and night. You can use the pump as a pump for a small aquarium. Install the pump under water and aerate for at least 1 minute, 2 times a day.
   • Another option is to use a small pump to aerate the tank. Squeeze the plunger in the air and immerse it in water to let the air into the water. Continue to remove the plunger, take in the air and fill the water for at least 1 minute, 2 times a day.
   • How to make your own air bubble apparatus: Find a lab dropper that you no longer plan to use. Poke a hole on the tip of the tube, then poke more small holes at the tip of the drip. You can use a needle or pin several times in different directions, then remove the staple.
   • If you don't want to remember to aerate twice a day, you can plant small plants in a sea monkey tank to provide oxygen in the water. Choose aquatic plants that generate a lot of oxygen.

2. 

   Place the tank in a warm place. Sea monkeys don't like environments that are too cold or too hot. You should place the tank indoors where there is indirect sunlight and at least 22 degrees Celsius. This will ensure the tank is warm enough and not too cold for the sea monkeys.
   • The tank is too cold will make the sea monkeys immobile and not develop. If the sea monkeys are not moving and not large, the tank is probably too cold and needs to be moved to a warmer place indoors. Place the tank in an area with indirect sunlight to keep it warm, but not too hot.

3. 

   Do not change the water unless it is too cloudy or smelly. Green algae living in the tank is a good thing, as it serves as food and provides oxygen to the sea monkeys. However, you will need to clean the tank and the water if it smells or if the water turns black and cloudy.
   • You will need a coffee filter and a cup of clean, chlorinated salt water. Use a racket to remove sea monkeys from the tank and release them into a cup of clean water.
   • Place the coffee filter over the clean tank and pour the water in the tank through the coffee filter several times. Try to filter out as much residue in the water as possible.
   • You can use a paper towel to wipe the bottom and sides of the tank. Use a cotton swab to remove any residue from the tank slots.
   • Smell the tank water to check if it still smells, then pour the water back into the tank and release the sea monkey. Add room temperature filtered water to the tank. Feed the sea monkeys and aerate the tank several times that day. Re-feed on the normal feeding schedule five days.
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Part 4 of 4: Caring for a healthy and happy sea monkey

1. 

   Pay attention to white spots in the tank and remove. If you see white spots like cotton balls in the water, try to remove as soon as possible. They are a type of bacteria that can kill sea monkeys. Scoop these white spots out with a small spoon and discard them.
   • You can use Sea Medic product to destroy remaining bacteria. If bacteria persist after 1-2 days, you should rinse the tank and change the water. Some macaques and eggs can be washed away with the water, but this may be the only way to kill bacteria.

2. 

   Small flashlight for sea monkeys dancing and swimming. You can use a small flashlight or pen light to play with the sea monkey. Light up the tank and watch the sea monkey chase the light as you move the lights. They can also congregate around the beam if you keep the light entering the tank.
   • You can have fun with sea monkeys by drawing shapes and patterns with the light, and they will swim along to create interesting pictures.

3. 

   Note if sea monkeys are mating. You will notice that males have a beard under their chin, and that females usually carry eggs. Sea monkeys mate often, so don't be surprised if they pair up while swimming. This is a sign that the sea monkeys are reproducing, and that more and more sea monkeys will be born soon.
   • Most sea monkeys have an average lifespan of 2 years, but thanks to their high reproductive rates you will have an ongoing supply of sea monkeys in your tank, as long as you know how to take care of the tank and sea monkeys properly.
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