Sea monkeys are the inhabitants of sea waters and oceans. Outwardly, they are somewhat reminiscent of shrimp. Their sizes are no more than 0.5 cm. They are constantly actively moving, so many today acquire them as aquarium pets. Watching their travels through the water is a very pleasant and soothing sight. Especially when there is not one such resident in the aquarium, but 5 or more. Photos of sea monkeys can be seen below.
The edges of the body are sometimes colored in light orange. These inhabitants of seawater in science are also called small crustaceans, which belong to the species Artemia salina.
Where to get sea monkeys?
You can buy these unusual marine inhabitants in the pet shop where aquarium fish are sold. However, to find adults is not quite easy, so you have to try. Together with crustaceans, a capacity (package) of 1-2 liters will be provided (depending on how many individuals need to be purchased). Also often with them can give a pack of food for pets. Monkeys feed on algae. In pet stores they are fed with dry and already shredded marine plants.
How to breed sea monkeys?
At home, you need to pour 2 liters of water into the aquarium and carefully lay out these tiny creatures. You can take ordinary water from the tap. It is not necessary to succumb to special filtration and processing. But if there are filters, you can install. Pour food into the aquarium no more than 1 time per week. At a time, you need to put about 5 grams (1 tsp.). Monkeys live up to 10 years. Then the old individuals die, and their cycle continues to young.
The value of small crustaceans in nature
Monkey monkeys, as it turned out in multiple studies, can not only please the human eye. They bring many benefits to sea and ocean waters. As California scientists have found, sea crustaceans are able to influence water currents. But this is only in cases with mass migrations.
However, they do this not like many other species that live in the seas: to and from the coast. Monkeys rise up, then go down. The most amazing thing is that at night they float into the upper layers of water, and sink into the depths during the day. The movement of water in the seas and oceans, as it turned out, depends not only on a gust of wind, but also on such small inhabitants. They are also able to move heat, salt and nutrients through ocean and sea waters. Many of us consider this phenomenon a trifle, but these tiny creatures have a global impact on the environment.