The downside of Sea-Monkeys is their relative fragility. Not much can be done to help them when their health begins to go downhill. When you can identify sick and dying Sea-Monkeys, you'll do right to remove them from their habitat before others become ill as well.
Sea-Monkey Basics
Sea-Monkeys are genetically modified brine shrimp that have been sold as pets since a man named Harold von Braunhut invented and trademarked them in 1957. Sea-Monkeys are sold as eggs in a packet and are said to magically come to life when the contents of the packet are poured into water. Sea-Monkeys reach their adult form within several weeks of being placed into water.
Normal Sea-Monkey Behavior
Sea-Monkeys are not known for being the most active of aquarium pets. Sea-Monkeys generally appear to float around in the water. These animals are translucent in color. If they have eaten recently, they will have a dark-colored stripe running through their bodies.
Sea-Monkey Illness
Sea-Monkeys spend their days swimming around in their tank -- they should not be lying at the bottom of your tank or floating at the top. A sick Sea-Monkey may stop swimming, change colors or develop strange body markings. Sea-Monkeys whose tanks develop black spots need to be treated with medicine called "Sea Medic," or they will die.
Sea-Monkey Death
Dead Sea-Monkeys generally sink to the bottom of their tank and begin to decompose. If a Sea-Monkey is not moving at the bottom of the tank, the creature is probably dead. Dead Sea-Monkeys change color from their normal translucent to black as they decompose. You need to remove Sea-Monkeys from the tank as soon as you notice they have died to prevent bacteria and illness from spreading to your healthy Sea-Monkeys.
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Writer Bio
Jen Davis has been writing since 2004. She has served as a newspaper reporter and her freelance articles have appeared in magazines such as "Horses Incorporated," "The Paisley Pony" and "Alabama Living." Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication with a concentration in journalism from Berry College in Rome, Ga.
