Sea Monkeys
I had not expected that there would be a great deal of interest in this topic, but apparently there is. So. Sea monkeys.
I loved them as a child because, first of all, pets that hatch "instantly" and which you can keep on your nightstand? Awesome! And second, you could send away for sea monkey accessories without benefit of a checkbook. No other company I wanted to order stuff from accepted cash.
I loved them as a teenager and adult because everything sea monkey is kind've inherently hilarious. I love that they're basically over-accessorized fish food. I raised sea monkeys largely to collect their awesome-yet-ridiculous tanks. (I might have been less charmed by them if I had known more about their creator, but whatever)
I haven't had any in a couple years, but when I saw at my local Target that the newest tanks are coming out in colors like purple and pink, I knew I needed to raise up another batch of Artemia nyos. After waffling a bit, I went with the purple tank (I have a strong desire to send a pink one to Shelly Mazzanoble [we had a tiny conversation about sea monkeys], but I think that's probably too weird). I put the second packet in last night. So here they are, some a day old and some two days:

Those dots you see? Are not sea monkeys. They're air bubbles. The sea monkeys are still too small for my camera to pick up, and look like teeny-tiny white triangles magically bopping around in erratic tangents. I am reliably informed that at this time they've all got three eyes, and they'll lose one on the way to adulthood.
I love sea monkeys.
I loved them as a child because, first of all, pets that hatch "instantly" and which you can keep on your nightstand? Awesome! And second, you could send away for sea monkey accessories without benefit of a checkbook. No other company I wanted to order stuff from accepted cash.
I loved them as a teenager and adult because everything sea monkey is kind've inherently hilarious. I love that they're basically over-accessorized fish food. I raised sea monkeys largely to collect their awesome-yet-ridiculous tanks. (I might have been less charmed by them if I had known more about their creator, but whatever)
I haven't had any in a couple years, but when I saw at my local Target that the newest tanks are coming out in colors like purple and pink, I knew I needed to raise up another batch of Artemia nyos. After waffling a bit, I went with the purple tank (I have a strong desire to send a pink one to Shelly Mazzanoble [we had a tiny conversation about sea monkeys], but I think that's probably too weird). I put the second packet in last night. So here they are, some a day old and some two days:
Those dots you see? Are not sea monkeys. They're air bubbles. The sea monkeys are still too small for my camera to pick up, and look like teeny-tiny white triangles magically bopping around in erratic tangents. I am reliably informed that at this time they've all got three eyes, and they'll lose one on the way to adulthood.
I love sea monkeys.
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I think that if I was going to try again (after my 294587234th try last year)
I might put an aerator in the tank somehow.
I love the castle tank.
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I can't wait until they get bigger and I can see them on camera. <3 <3 <3 <3
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As a kid I was more of a put-on-wellies-and-look-what's-in-the-stream person. Trichoptera larvae are awesome (we had the kind that builds and drags around cylindrical silt-cases).
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I wondered if anyone would comment on my books. ;-)
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I'm going to have to stop by and see them :)
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I always wanted sea monkeys...
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You can get 'em for not very much at Target, yo. They're like eight dollars.