4-Inch Self-Sustaining Ecosphere

Pros: Easy to care for fun, relaxing and unique pet
Cons: initially expensive to purchase

We have had our small 3.75in. EcoSphere for almost 3 years now. I am happy to report EcoSphere world #XX,XXX is still going strong. I don't see many problems with owning one of these, as long as a person can follow some very simple instructions. We ...

Pros: Continuing enjoyment for over a decade.
Cons: None.

Visited the web site mentioned in another review. States that the shrimp slowly starve to death over 1 - 3 years. We've had ours for over a decade and besides a slight lowering of the water level everything is just fine. This has been a continuing wonderment and the tiny shrimp just keep on swimming. We have placed it in diffusely lighted locations, only move it once a year or so and it almost never gets touched. Maybe the secret is to actually follow the instructions. Not a toy.

Pros: easy care, attractive, nice gift
Cons: none

I gave a small eco-sphere to my father in 2001 for Father's Day. I had a funny story to go along with it because when I first saw these in Brookstone I thought they were snowglobes. I picked one up and started shaking it and the worker in the store (on patrol for this very thing)started yelling and running towards me before I could kill the poor little shrimp. I felt sort of obligated to buy it and it turned out to be a big hit with my parents. Within 2 or 3 years, they had all died except for "Scampi." (My mom named all of them!)Scampi is still swimming around in there all by himself, has been for years now. We will be sad when he dies and plan to give him a proper burial in the back yard when the time comes. We figure he's at least 7 years old now!

Pros: None
Cons: Cruel, reduces life span of shrimp drastically.

I bought one of these thinking it was cute and interesting. After researching a little, I was horrified by what I found. The manufacturer and store neglected to mention several key factors regarding the shrimp living in these closed systems. One of the best sources I found was the following link:

http://www.petshrimp.com/hawaiianredshrimp.html

I will never, ever buy something like this again. I love animals and I can't possible think of this as anything but cruel.