i remember when i was a kid (circa early-to-mid-60s) seeing ads in the comic books for sea monkeys, which were presented as more or less kinglyishly crowned monkey-headed sea horses that you could raise at home. thirty years later, when my kids sam and emma were maybe 7 and 3, i ordered some from somewhere and we raised them. they're brine shrimp: just tiny itsy-bitsy crustaceans. but they are highly accessorized, and their tininess is effective as a kind of screen: you can imagine them to be sea monkeys because you can see something moving around but that's about all. emma used to wear a little water-filled pendant around her neck with sea monkeys floating within. the sea monkey magnates - operating out of maryland - call themselves "trans-science inc": apt to their beautiful, extremely american marketing confection of hard science, pure imagination, and outright huchsterism. so anyway, sam (now 13) evidently had pretty vivid memories, because he really really wanted to find sea monkeys for jane's 5th b-day. he got her the basic starter set, which we're doing. but then we started checking out the available accessories, which include:
Cupids Arrow Mating Powder
For shy Sea-Monkeys afraid of "marriage", this fabulous formula will give them a quick trip "to the altar"! Once "hooked", former "bachelor" Sea-Monkeys will fill your tank with oodles of cute babies - fast!Sea-Monkeys Banana Treat
While it's true that "monkeys" like bananas, Sea-Monkeys are no exception. So here's a TREAT for your favorite pets and a wonderful way to REWARD them for the FUN they give you! A long-lasting supply of tasty "dessert" for your aquatic pets that rovides health-giving vitamins, minerals and LOVE!Sea-Monkey Sea-Diamonds
This heap of sparkling "sea-gems" keep Sea-Monkeys happy and entertained by giving them toys that they will really play with! So pretty they might as well be REAL. Watch the Sea-Monkeys have fun by tossing Sea-Diamonds around like beachballs! They even "learn" to climb up and ride them as if they were surfboards. This gives them the exercise they need to stay fit. But MOST AMAZING, as the water levels drops in your aquarium, Sea-Diamonds RISE UP from the bottom and FLOAT MID-WATER, seemingly in DEFIANCE OF THE LAWS OF GRAVITY! The Sea-Monkeys now wind their way among the mysteriously suspended gems swimming in and out of the enchanted "maze". So fantastic, it MUST be seen to be believed!Sea-Monkey® Speedway Challenge™
Extreme head-to-head Sea-Monkey races!
Which little creature will earn the title of Sea-Monkey World Champion? Coach your pets to maneuver the turns and speed full throttle through the finish line! Sea-Monkeys actually race "up-stream by instinct" - against a current of water that you control - and the first to cross the finish line wins!Aqua-Leash™
Here is a MUCH-NEEDED tool to SAFELY handle Sea-Monkeys! Over 8 1/2" long, it's a Sea-Monkey "picket-upper" that works by suction and cannot injure even the biggest Sea-Monkeys that you can grow. BEST OF ALL, when not used to catch a little rascal to move him to another tank or for other reasons, it DOUBLES as a "vacuum cleaner" to suction up the "yuck" that settles on the bottom. Easy to operate, and SO USEFUL, you'll thank the day you got it.PlayPen
This bio-ergonomic designed and tested short-term Sea-Monkeys RC is a perfect way to take your Salty Simian pets with you to school, a friend's house, or the David Letterman show! The PlayPen is a mobile home as well as the best way to show case and view your Sea-Monkeys at a close range. Press the momentary button switch on the base of the playpen and WOW...a very cool red light floods the watery world of your pets. It happens because the PlayPen is equipped with a bright red LED light that puts a spot light on your pets. The specially designed strong, stainless steel clip will securely attach the PlayPen to your pocket or back pack. The PlayPen is designed to safely transport your Sea-Monkeys' for up to 36 hours.Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe the Sea-Monkey way. Here is a portable, whimsical Sea-Monkeys. Tic-Tac-Toe game in blue and purple. 8 little magnetic guys (4 blue, 4 purple) come in a high quality tin container that serves as both play set and storage container small enough to fit in your pocket. Cute enough to brighten any mood, any day. Size: 3" 1/2 x 2" 1/2 in a blue gift box. Contains 8 playing pieces; one storage / play set and Instructions.
etc!!
