Q&A for How to Raise Sea Monkeys

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Question

How long does it take sea monkeys to hatch?

Doug Ludemann
Professional Aquarist
Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doug has worked in the aquarium and fish-care industry for over 20 years, including having worked as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota.

Doug Ludemann

Professional Aquarist

Expert Answer

This can vary. It may take hours or even days. Decapsulated sea monkeys will hatch within several hours.

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Question

How long does it take for the sea monkeys to grow to adulthood?

Community Answer

It takes about 6-8 weeks for sea monkeys to really look like sea monkeys. Don't worry!

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Question

How can I breed my sea monkeys?

Community Answer

Once they are adults, they will just breed on their own in the tank. Keep your eyes out for little babies that may be lingering at the top of bottom of the tank!

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Question

What happens if you feed your sea monkeys before day 5?

Community Answer

They might not be developed enough to metabolize the food.

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Question

How long do they live?

Community Answer

If you care for them properly, they can live up to two years.

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Question

What happens if the eggs come up to the top of the tank?

Community Answer

That's normal! They are supposed to float a little.

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Question

Is it normal for sea monkeys to blow bubbles?

Community Answer

These "bubbles" may be actually egg sacs left over after birth. They tend to float to the top and collect together, almost like foam. You can remove them when cleaning. If you see orange "bubbles," those may be actual eggs.

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Question

Can I begin your tank by just hatching a single egg and raising it alone?

Community Answer

Yes, but it would be better if you hatched multiple eggs together so the sea monkeys mature together and are used to each other.

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Question

My monkeys seemed to have hatched overnight! Should I feed them or wait till the five days to pass. I am certain there's a bunch of them. I don't want them to die.

Community Answer

You still need to wait five days. They live off the food stored in their eggs for the first few days.

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Question

How long does it take for them to fully develop?

Community Answer

A few days to about a week. They are at full size if they are larger and have a thin, brownish-black line on their back.

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Question

How long does it take to hatch if the water is cold?

Community Answer

It could take a few more days, depending on how cold.

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Question

Some of my sea monkeys have tails, what does this mean?

Community Answer

They're not tails, it's sea monkey excrement.

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Question

How long do you have to wait for the eggs to hatch?

Community Answer

Hatching time can depend on several factors. Some eggs have thicker shells and take more time. The temp. of the water also impacts hatching time. Sometimes hatching could take several days or even a week.

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Question

If some of them die for no reason, should I panic?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

No, it's normal. Not all of them will make it.

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Question

How much water do I need?

Community Answer

This depends what sort of container you are using to house your sea monkeys. If you are using a container that came with a sea monkey kit, fill the water up to the water line on the container. If you are using a tank, jar, or some other container, leave a little less than an inch of air in the tank.

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Question

I have the kit, but where do I get the aerator and leash? How can I add oxygen without these items?

Community Answer

You could get an air stone at any local pet store, like PetSmart and Petco. They even sell air pumps and stones at Walmart.

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Question

Can I put other creatures in the tank, such as snails or plankton?

Community Answer

I wouldn't as the other animals could eat the sea monkeys. At the very least, wait until they're more mature and try to find other animals that aren't known for eating sea monkeys.

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Question

How long do sea monkeys take to reach full size?

Community Answer

It takes about a month or more for sea monkeys to become adults. There is a great difference between adults and their babies, so it will be very easy to determine whether the shrimp are grown up.

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Question

Should I have a light for them to keep them warm in the winter?

Community Answer

Best to use a fish tank heater for the correct size of tank you have. If you use the little plastic tank in the kit, no light or heat, just keep them in a warm part of the house. Do not use a heater in any plastic tank not suited for fish.

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Question

Do I have to clean the tank?

Community Answer

Yes, you should. For more information on taking care of sea monkeys, refer to How to Care for Sea Monkeys

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Question

Do I need to put the whole packet of purifier in the tank?

Community Answer

Yes, you do need to put the whole packet of purifier in the tank.

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Question

Should I use hot water?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

No. Use warm water. You don't want to cook the eggs.

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Question

Where do I put my sea monkeys when I clean the tank?

Community Answer

Put them in a glass bowl with water.

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Question

I have the kit. If I put the whole pack of eggs in the tank, will they thrive?

Community Answer

Yes, I have done it before.

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Question

My sea monkeys didn't hatch today when I put the eggs into the water. Will they hatch eventually?

Community Answer

Sea monkeys don't hatch instantly; it can take up to five days for them to hatch, sometimes even longer.

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Question

How many sea monkeys eggs at a time do I put in the tank?

Community Answer

You can put all of them in at one time - they are completely fine, with a big enough tank.

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Question

Do I have to use a fish tank to raise them?

Community Answer

No, you don't have to use an official fish tank. These shrimp are incredibly durable and are able to live in smaller spaces.

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Question

Do I have to separate my mating sea monkeys from the rest?

Community Answer

No, because they will all end up breeding anyway, so it's pointless. You can try if you like, but it's certainly not necessary.

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Question

What happens if I feed them more than once every 5 days?

Seamonkeyhelper

Community Answer

They can suffocate and die. It's just best to feed them every five days. You can feed them less, but when you feed them make sure the water is not cloudy.

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Question

What happens if you put the sea monkeys in before 24 hours?

Community Answer

If you don't wait for 24 hours after putting in the water purifier, the chances are that the eggs won't hatch.

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