water flea

Microscopic pond dweller

A water flea is any of various tiny freshwater crustaceans that move through water with jerky, flea-like motions.

The most common are daphnia, which swim by rowing with their antennae.

Water fleas are important food sources for fish and are often used in aquarium feeding and scientific research.

ecology

zooplankton

Drifting aquatic microorganisms

pondSmall still body
lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters

algae · trophic · food chain · aquaculture · bioassay · eutrophication · grazer · pelagic · littoral · seasonal migration

crustacean

carapace

Protective dorsal exoskeleton

antennaeSensory appendages on insects
exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
moltingPeriodic shedding of covering

filter feeder · parthenogenesis · chitin · compound eye · hemoglobin · instar

microscopic

transparent

Allowing light through

minuteSixtieth of an hour
tinyExtremely small in size
swimmingLocomotion through water

specimen · magnification · observation · educational

Categories

daphniddaphnia
aquatic lifedolphins, whales, dolphin, sharks, sea turtles
arthropodsarthropod, arthropods, Arthropoda, insects, insect
crustaceanscrabs, crab, prawn, lobster, lobsters
freshwater lifecatfish, trout, bass, salmon, frog
short-lived creaturesmayfly, fruit fly, gnat, mosquito, housefly

Opposites

habitat medium

water fleaflea

Blood-drinking jumping pest

sand flea · dust mite

taxonomic class

water fleaflea

Blood-drinking jumping pest

insect · cat flea · dog flea

size in aquatic ecosystem

water fleawhale

Huge sea mammal

blue whale · whale shark · giant squid · great white shark · orca

Family

water, flea, saltwater, fleas, freshwater, rainwater, sand flea, fleabite, water strider

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G