Q&A for How to Care for Sea Monkeys

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  • Question
    Can you use tap water for sea monkeys?
    Doug Ludemann
    Aquarium Care Professional
    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.
    Aquarium Care Professional
    Expert Answer
    Sea Monkeys need filtered saltwater in their tank. You'll need to add 1/2 cup of salt for every 1 gallon of filtered water.
  • Question
    Some of the sea monkeys are lying at the bottom of the tank. Are they dead?
    Community Answer
    Unless your sea monkeys appear black in color, they are likely still alive. However, the water may be too cold for them. You should move the tank to a warmer spot in your home.
  • Question
    When the sea monkeys have fully grown what do you do with them? Do you put them in a bigger tank?
    Community Answer
    You do not need to move sea monkeys to a new tank once they are full grown. They can remain in the same tank.
  • Question
    Can I use filtered tap water instead of bottled water?
    Community Answer
    You can, but it's best if you boil it first. Consider keeping a jug of this water with your sea monkey supplies.
  • Question
    Do I have to use the tank that is provided in the sea monkey packs or can I use a different tank?
    Community Answer
    You can use a different tank, just make sure the tank is clean and free of any soap or chemicals because these will kill them very easily.
  • Question
    Is the black stuff on the bottom of the tank algae? Do I need to clean it out? The water also looks really dirty.
    Community Answer
    Black stuff could be an issue and should be cleaned out by removing it with a clean spoon. If the water looks black or very cloudy, you should clean the tank and replace the water.
  • Question
    Is algae food for the sea monkeys?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you still need to feed them the normal food. They will eat the algae and it is not harmful.
  • Question
    How long does it take for a sea monkey to hatch?
    Community Answer
    Around five days.
  • Question
    Do sea monkeys multiply?
    Community Answer
    Yes, male and female sea monkeys will breed and make baby sea monkeys.
  • Question
    Where do I buy the food for the sea monkeys?
    Community Answer
    At your local pet store or online.
  • Question
    I want to transfer my sea monkeys to a bigger environment because they've multiplied quickly and seem crowded in the original tank. How much salt should I add to their new, bigger tank? And what kind of salt should I use?
    Community Answer
    Some websites sell spare "water purifier" packets with the correct amount of salt and water conditioner. Place your sea monkeys temporarily in another container and then use the original tank to fill the larger one, making note of how many tankfuls of water it takes. Order as many packets as the number of original tankfuls it took to fill your new tank.
  • Question
    If there are bubbles in the tank already from pouch #1 and the monkeys have already hatched, do I need to stir to give them air?
    Community Answer
    You can stir the water around but this is not the most effective way to give your monkeys the oxygen they need. You should aerate the tank twice a day with an air pump or a turkey baster.
  • Question
    Are sea monkeys considered to be salt water invertebrates? Could I use living rock substrate?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Sea monkeys are salt water invertebrates. You can use living rock substrate but keep an eye on your sea monkeys to make sure it does not affect them adversely.
  • Question
    I waited the 24 hours after putting in the water purifier, then put the eggs in. There are no signs of life and the water turned blue. Are they going to hatch?
    Community Answer
    Maybe you made a mistake and put the egg packet in first instead of the water purifier. That's the only reason that the water might have turned blue.
  • Question
    Should we suction out the debris from the bottom of the tank or leave it?
    Community Answer
    Only suck debris out of the bottom of the tank if it looks like white spots or white cotton balls, or if the water is black or cloudy. Algae is good for your sea monkeys and should remain in their tank.
  • Question
    Is it bad that my sea monkeys hatched in less then 24 hours?
    Community Answer
    Not at all! You still need to wait five days to feed them however.
  • Question
    When do they start breeding?
    Community Answer
    They will reach adulthood and start to multiply at 6 to 8 weeks of age.
  • Question
    How will I know when a sea monkey is having a baby?
    Caeiia
    Top Answerer
    If they are a little big (looks like they're carrying an egg sack), then they are pregnant.
  • Question
    Where can I get a sea monkey kit?
    Sadiegirl
    Community Answer
    You can buy them at places like Walmart, or you can order them on Amazon.
  • Question
    I don't have sea diamonds. What do I do when I want to play with my sea monkeys?
    Community Answer
    Shine a pen light against the tank and make shapes with it. Your sea monkeys may follow the light and dance around for you.
  • Question
    Our classroom sea monkeys have not all hatched. We have 4; however, there are a lot of black dots in the tank. What does this mean?
    Community Answer
    The eggs are no longer fertile so they are growing fungus on the bad eggs. I advise taking out the fungus covered eggs.
  • Question
    If you have your sea monkeys for three months do you need to clean out the water?
    Community Answer
    Only clean the water if it looks cloudy or black. Algae is good for your sea monkeys and should remain in their tank.
  • Question
    Are sea monkeys the same thing as brine shrimp?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they are.
  • Question
    Where can I buy more sea monkey food when I run out?
    Caeiia
    Top Answerer
    You can feed them brewers yeast and spirulina algae.
  • Question
    Where can I get sea diamonds?
    Community Answer
    Actually, sea diamonds are not recommended because baby sea monkeys can get stuck under them and suffocate.
  • Question
    How big do sea monkeys grow?
    Community Answer
    Almost always no more than an inch (2.5cm) long.
  • Question
    What do I do with dead sea monkeys? I don't want my house to smell like a dead fish!
    Community Answer
    You can just flush them down the toilet.
  • Question
    Why is there a large cup on the feeding spoon?
    Community Answer
    It's used for feeding adult Sea Monkeys.
  • Question
    How many times should I give them food?
    Community Answer
    This depends on whether they are adults or young sea monkeys. If they are adults, feed them once every 5 days with the big side of spoon. If they are young sea monkeys, then they need fed every 2 days with the little side of spoon.
  • Question
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