Bye bye sea monkeys

[Crookston]

Hi, me and my daughter have had sea monkeys now for about 10 weeks.

We are moving home soon, and won't be taking the monkeys.

We don't want them to die.

Would they live in a local stream?

Any advice appreciated

Niamh and Paul

 

[Sgooosh]

Hi, me and my daughter have had sea monkeys now for about 10 weeks.

We are moving home soon, and won't be taking the monkeys.

We don't want them to die.

Would they live in a local stream?

Any advice appreciated

Niamh and Paul

yes, the local minnows would happily eat them
or who knows they might survive.
best not to do that since invasive species.
i reckon you could bring them or just a few, and then just give the rest to a friend or relative with fish as food

 

[Crookston]

yes, the local minnows would happily eat them
or who knows they might survive.
best not to do that since invasive species.
i reckon you could bring them or just a few, and then just give the rest to a friend or relative with fish as food

Hi, thanks for the reply?
Would they live anywhere happily 'outside'…?

 

[Crookston]

Sorry didn't mean to question mark the first sentence

 

[kribensis12]

Sea Monkey's are hybridized brine shrimp and cannot live in freshwater for more than a few hours.

I would argue they are find to add to a stream - tasty snack for local wildlife. Many would advise you to dispose of them humanely and not into nature as it could introduce diseases etc. There is 0 chance of it being an invasive species as you have fresh water.

 

[Colin_T]

They won't survive in freshwater so give them to a pet shop or feed them to some fish. A pet shop will probably feed them to their fish.

Out of curiosity, why can't you take them with you?

 

[Herpin Man]

While it’s true that the shrimp would not survive, so it really wouldn’t matter in this case, this “set it free” mindset really torques me.
This is exactly how we end up with invasive and destructive species in places they don’t belong: snakeheads, lion fish, goldfish, Burmese pythons, tegus, bullfrogs, red eared sliders, and so on. Not only does it damage the environment, but it also endangers our hobbies.

 

[kribensis12]

While it’s true that the shrimp would not survive, so it really wouldn’t matter in this case, this “set it free” mindset really torques me.
This is exactly how we end up with invasive and destructive species in places they don’t belong: snakeheads, lion fish, goldfish, Burmese pythons, tegus, bullfrogs, red eared sliders, and so on. Not only does it damage the environment, but it also endangers our hobbies.

I would typically agree with you.

I disagree in this particular instance because the species has 0.0% chance of surviving and breeding. In order for that to happen it would 1. Have to be placed in Saltwater and 2. Not freeze, ever.

All of the species you have listed all have ability to live and breed in a wide range of conditions which is why they are invasive. If the OP was trying to release Mosquito fish into their local creek that would be much worse as they are highly adaptable.

I would consider this particular situation to be no different than someone letting go of their Lizard in the spring of the Midwestern U.S. because they can't care for it any more. Should they find it a better home? Yes. Was that bad for the environment - only from the perspective that its one more animal to compete for food. Does it have any chance of survival over the winter? No.

 

[Herpin Man]

Please note, I said "the shrimp would not survive, so it really wouldn’t matter in this case".
However it's also worth noting that the OP does not appear to have known that, so the intent would be the same.
With all of the publicity and awareness regarding the problem of invasive species, it truly baffles me that people continue to want to release them.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

While it’s true that the shrimp would not survive, so it really wouldn’t matter in this case, this “set it free” mindset really torques me.
This is exactly how we end up with invasive and destructive species in places they don’t belong: snakeheads, lion fish, goldfish, Burmese pythons, tegus, bullfrogs, red eared sliders, and so on. Not only does it damage the environment, but it also endangers our hobbies.

Say it louder for the people in the back!

Agreed that it's a moot point in this case, but that the OP didn't know that, and that the mindset is the same one that causes these exact issues.