Dragon-i Toys/C P Designs Asia Ltd.

Dragon-i Toys was a Hong Kong-based toy company who became the licensee of the brand sometime in 2017. The following year, with ‘The Original Sea-Monkey’ branding, they relaunched Sea-Monkey products in the market.

Sometime in 2024 or 2025, Dragon-i Toys closed its doors; with that, we saw Dragon-i Toys branding slowly being phased out from Sea-Monkey products and the licensee information updated to C P Designs Asia Limited. Under that company, Dragon-i Toys former president, Dave Cave, restructured his toy business with a smaller selection of their best-selling brands, with Sea-Monkeys having made the cut in this new business chapter.

We’ll update or split this section accordingly if any significant changes happen to the products, but given the apparent association these companies previously had, this change in the licensee has so far not affected anything in the production or distribution of Sea-Monkeys products.

Ocean-Zoo®

Under Dragon-i Toys, the classic Ocean-Zoo tank received some small design changes:
-The Aero-Vent tank cover features ‘The Original Sea-Monkeys®’ logo.
-Near the top of the tank, two slots have been added on its front and back sides, with the back one having a water level indicator below it. In addition to preventing overfilling the tank, these slots also provide a simple solution for retail packaging, as seen by the zip tie that holds all the content securely. New tanks introduced by Dragon-i Toys also feature the same design.
-At the base of the tank, an area featuring a sticker with ‘The Original Sea-Monkeys®’ branding has been added.

During this run with Dragon-i Toys, the Ocean-Zoo has been released in various colors, which, after a certain period of time, get replaced with new color variants. This tank has a 12-ounce water capacity when filled to the indicated line.

Current Lineup

Past Colors

We consider these colors to be phased out/retired since they haven’t been re-released, but never say never; there’s no rhyme or reason with the distribution of Sea-Monkey products, so we could see them return someday.

In 2023, the product packaging was updated across the board. This can help identify sellers who are either selling old stock or using outdated listing images.

International Variants

Australia

Before the packaging update in 2023, Australian Ocean-Zoos had their own unique insert design, which featured the same art as seen in the initial handbook released under Dragon-i Toys & with the product name, Ocean-Zoo, stylised similarly to how it appeared in various products from previous decades.

Germany

This localized German version was briefly distributed and sold by ROFU Kinderland circa 2019.

Japan

In 2019, Happitnet (ハピネット) from Japan became the distributor in that market for about two to three years. They only sold the blue and pink Ocean-Zoo variants with their own localized packaging.

Russia

In Russia, starting sometime in 2018, the now-defunct 1Toy company briefly distributed localized versions of the product line.

South Korea

In South Korea, a company called i.jOA ㈜아이조아 briefly distributed localized version in that market circa 2019.

Neon Ocean-Zoo®

Neon-type Ocean-Zoos have been around for a long time, but no distinction was made in their packaging about their unique design, and they were just part of the regular rotation of Ocean-Zoos sold as standalone or used for other kits. With Dragon-i Toys, Neon Ocean-Zoos is its own line if we can say so; they have seen the same color variations as thier regular counterparts.

The initial iteration of Neon Ocean-Zoos, released in 2018 by Dragon-i Toys, was not as transparent as other predecessors and was almost indistinguishable from the regular Ocean-Zoo. That line eventually got revised to what we have today, with their transparency being more prominent and more in par with past neon tanks.

Current Lineup

Past Colors & Early Variants

Sea-Monkeys® Ocean-Volcano

The Ocean-Volcano is a new line of Sea-Monkey tanks introduced by Dragon-i Toys in 2018, when they relaunched the brand. It has seen the same color variations as the Ocean-Zoo tanks.

This tank is approximately the same height as an Ocean-Zoo, but features a wider body that has 16 ounces of water capacity when filled to the indicated line.

Current Lineup

Past Colors & Regional Variants

Sea-Monkeys® Ocean-Treasure

The Ocean-Treasure is a new line of Sea-Monkey tanks introduced by Dragon-i Toys in 2021. It was initially released in the UK market and subsequently in the Australian market; as of 2026, it has not been distributed outside of those regions.

The main highlight of this tank is the treasure chest decoration at the bottom. In the initial iteration of this tank, that decoration was lit up by an LED component. The electrical element was eventually removed, with the decoration now being a glow-in-the-dark element.

This tank is approximately the same height as an Ocean-Zoo, but features a wider body with less depth, which has 10 ounces of water capacity when filled to the indicated line.

Current Lineup

Past Colors

Spanish Variant

Starting in 2023, BIZAK from Spain briefly distributed Sea-Monkeys in that market for about a year or two. The Ocean-Treasure was the one kit that received localized packaging and the one that was marketed the most. From November 1st, 2023 until January 31st 2024, the purchase of a Sea-Monkey kit would grant a free child’s ticket to Parque de Atracciones de Madrid (Madrid’s Amusement Park).

Sea-Monkeys® Ocean-Adventure

The Ocean-Adventure was a new tank introduced by Dragon- i Toys in 2018. Its initial, short-lived distribution was limited to some Asian & Oceania countries. In 2022, it saw a brief return in the North American market.

This jar-type tank had a larger water capacity and would hold 28 ounces when filled to the indicated mark. The lid featured a colour-changing LED light, and the base of the tank had a vinyl wrap that featured a coral & seaweed design; the same design could be seen in the paper insert of the kit.

A standard Sea-Monkey tank setup requires one Water Purifier pouch & one Instant Live Eggs pouch, which are formulated for around 10 to 12 ounces of water. This kit, despite the tank’s larger capacity, only included one set of pouches, which would lead to low salinity levels and affect the survival of the Sea-Monkeys (brine shrimp). This oversight probably explains the limited & short-lived distribution this kit initially saw.

In 2022, a few years after its disappearance from the market, a limited stock of these tanks briefly made its way to North America. Simply listed as a “Sea-Monkey Bundle Set”, this limited re-release of the tank included an extra set of the primary pouches to supplement those already included, thus providing a more even formula to water ratio for a better hatching experience.

Sea-Monkeys® Magic Castle

Originally introduced back in 1999 by Educational Insights, this tank has since remained a regular in the line of Sea-Monkey aquariums. Those produced under Dragon-i Toys can be identified by the red band at the top of the packaging, which contains the words “World’s Only Instant Pets! JUTS ADD WATER!”

In early 2020, Happinet, its then distributor in Japan, introduced a new Magic Castle variant that was exclusively sold in that market. This regional version changed the pink and blue castle to a transparent blue castle.

Two years later, by which time Happinet distribution of the brand had ceased, this tank version slowly started being distributed internationally, and subsequently replaced the previous Magic Castle that had been in the market for 20 plus years.

Current Version

Previous Versions

Sea-Monkeys® On Mars

Originally introduced back in the year 2000 by Educational Insights, this tank has since remained a regular in the line of Sea-Monkey aquariums. Those produced under Dragon-i Toys can quickly be identified by the red band at the top of the packaging, which contains the words “World’s Only Instant Pets! JUTS ADD WATER!”

Current Version

Previous Version

Sea-Monkeys® MagiQuarium

Introduced by Educational Insight in 2001, this tank, which features a glow-in-the-dark base, has been another regular in the line of Sea-Monkey kits.

In 2023, along with all other products, this kit received a packaging redesign. As of 2026, no official product image with the new packaging has been released by its licensee or distributors, and given its limited distribution (with Singapore being the only confirmed market it has been spotted in), we have not been able to properly document this updated version nor learn anything further about its current distribution status.

Sea-Monkeys® Instant Life® Kits

Whether you’re bringing your own aquarium container or using a preexisting Sea-Monkeys tank, the Instant Life® kit includes the three primary packets necessary to start a new, standard-size (10-12oz) Sea-Monkeys colony.

Under Dragon-i Toys tenure, this product has seen various packaging changes, and like some other kits, it has seen its own Australian variants that include more content than its counterpart for other markets.

Current Versions

Past Versions

Sea-Monkeys® Instant Life® Mystery Eggs

These “mystery” eggs were introduced by Dragon-i Toys in 2019 and are an alternative retail option to the blister starter kits. These plastic eggs contain the three primary pouches, a feeding spoon and an instruction sheet. Unlike the Sea-Monkey tanks, these mystery eggs have not received any color variants.

Current Lineup

Previous Packaging Versions

Mighty Megasaur® Dinosaur Mystery Egg

The plastic egg shells used for this product are a recolored & repurposed version of the ones used years ago for the ‘Dinosaur Mystery Eggs’ from Dragon-i Toys Mighty Megasaur® line.

Classic Sea-Monkeys® Retro Instant Life Kit

Released in 2024, this is a retro-themed Instant Life kit that pays homage to the early years of the Sea-Monkeys brand. Inside the sturdy box, you’ll find the three primary packets (which are inside an envelope designed after an Instant Life blister card from the 1970s), a small Air Pump/Aqua-Leash, a feeding spoon, and a retro-styled instruction sheet that features vintage drawings from older instructions.

Sea-Monkeys® Handbook

After the absence of any sort of handbook during the years of the previous licensee (Big Time Toys), two new handbooks have been released since Dragon-i Toys relaunch of the brand in 2018.

The Sea-Monkeys handbook is included in the Neon Ocean-Zoo kits, current Ocean-Treasure kits, and in the Australian variant of the refill/starter pack.

The first version circulated from 2018 until 2023. Its cover art was also the same one seen in early Australian packaging for the brand. This handbook was composed of previously published Information & visual elements from past handbooks and instruction sheets.

In 2023, as part of the brand’s visual overhaul, a newly revised Sea-Monkeys handbook was published. In addition to some familiar information seen before, it features all-new visual elements to reflect the new visual identity of the brand, updated instructions, and high-quality photos of real-life brine shrimp (Sea-Monkeys), to highlight their anatomy.

A download link for the latest handbook edition can be found on the Sea-Monkeys instructions webpage.

Sea-Monkeys® Spoon

Item No. 1—Sea-Monkey® FEEDING And MEASURING SPOON

With Dragon-i Toys, we said goodbye to the double-scoop spoon we had seen for decades and welcomed a new paddle-shaped, single-scoop feeding & measuring spoon. The new spoon retains the familiar yellow color of its predecessors, and on its wider end, a raised design of a Sea-Monkey is present.

In the past, the spoon had a large & small scoop, which served different purposes depending on the Sea-Monkey era. Initially, the large scoop was meant to feed adult Sea-Monkeys, and the small scoop was for baby Sea-Monkeys.

Eventually, the large scoop was reserved for measuring Plasma III, a packet with nutrients & salt, which used to be included in many kits from past decades. While the small scoop was reserved for feeding all Sea-Monkeys regardless of size.

The Plasma III packet was eventually phased out of kits, and while it’s still produced, it’s considered an optional one. That, and changes in its instructions, made the large scoop redundant.