Diaphanosoma (clear water flea)
Diaphanosoma spp. · Aquatic life
Under the microscope · Photo: Ivan Sinkov / CC BY
Also called Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Diaphanosoma birgei, Sidid cladoceran
How to identify Diaphanosoma (clear water flea)
- Very clear, long body about 0.8 to 1.2 mm
- Large, square head with a big eye
- Long, powerful swimming antennae
- No tail spine
Similar species
Daphnia has a tail spine and smaller antennae for its size; Sida is larger and attaches to plants.
Profile
| Season | A summer species, peaking in July and August in warm water. |
|---|---|
| Starts | About 65 F and warmer |
| Depth | Open water, upper layers |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Females clone themselves through summer; in fall they lay resting eggs loose, not inside a saddle case (ephippium) like Daphnia, and the eggs survive winter on the bottom and can be moved with mud on birds and equipment |
| Habitat | Open water of warm ponds, lakes and reservoirs. |
Why it matters in a lake
A summer algae grazer that often takes over from Daphnia in warm water. It is a good fish food.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Occasional
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Branchiopoda |
| Order | Ctenopoda |
| Family | Sididae |
| Scientific name | Diaphanosoma spp. |
Daphnia (water flea)
Bosmina (snout water flea)
Ceriodaphnia (small water flea)
Chydorus (round water flea)
Simocephalus (hanging water flea)
Moina (lagoon water flea)
Alona (box water flea)
Scapholeberis (surface water flea)
Sida (sticky water flea)
Leptodora (giant water flea)Need a hand?
Found it in your lake?
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Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596