Water Flea; Spiny Water Flea; Fishhook Water Flea
Water fleas are invasive crustaceans that cause damage to the ecosystem of Colorado.
About This Species
These three species of invasive crustaceans all have sharp tail spines. Daphnia l. is the smallest, 0.4 to 0.6 inches long. Bythotrephes and Cercopagis water fleas range from ¼ to 5/8 inches in length. On a fishing line, all look like bristly globs of jelly with black spots. In general terms, water fleas are small aquatic crustaceans that have a jumpy or jerky mode of swimming.
More Information:
Range
Daphnia lumholtzi are native to tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, Asia, and Australia. It is suspected that they were brought to North America with African fish imported for the aquarium trade or to stock reservoirs. The other two water fleas are native to Eurasia and both were introduced to the Great Lakes from ships’ ballast water.
Habitat
Found in warmer freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.