It was a least five years ago now, probably even longer that I bought Jeff an Ecosphere for Christmas. A neat little self-sustaining system that truth be told, I bought more for myself but hey, the guy's impossible to buy for! Anyway, when it first arrived it had a few shrimp, some snails and algae. Over the course of the year the snails died followed by two of the three shrimp. I was certain the thing would be lifeless in no time and perhaps I would send it back for re-charging (for a hefty fee a'course). But nope, that one surviving shrimp can still be found swimming around the globe, picking at unseen bits of food. Sometimes his color is pale (about to molt I guess) and sometimes he's quite bright like today. Best little pet you could have!