Common Water Flea
Daphnia pulex
A tiny freshwater crustacean found in ponds, lakes, ditches, and slow-moving pools, often drifting among algae and plant matter. It swims with jerky hops powered by large antennae and filters microscopic algae, bacteria, and detritus from the water. Its transparent body and protective carapace reveal beating organs and developing eggs, making it a classic organism for microscope study. Many populations reproduce rapidly by cloning females when conditions are good, then switch to hardy resting eggs when the environment worsens.
- Type
- Water
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- Common Water Flea