Moina (lagoon water flea)
Moina spp. · Aquatic life
Under the microscope · Photo: Dmitry Kulakov / CC BY
Also called Moina macrocopa, Moina brachiata, Moina micrura
How to identify Moina (lagoon water flea)
- Water flea about 0.5 to 1.5 mm
- Plump body with a rounded rear and no tail spine
- Large head with no beak
- Resting egg saddle holds two eggs
Similar species
Daphnia has a pointed tail spine; Ceriodaphnia is smaller with a small, low head.
Profile
| Season | Summer, in hot weather. |
|---|---|
| Starts | About 70 F and warmer |
| Depth | Open water of shallow ponds |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Females clone themselves through summer; resting eggs in a dark saddle (ephippium) survive drying and freezing and ride on birds, boots and boats |
| Habitat | Warm, shallow, very nutrient rich water: wastewater lagoons, stock ponds, puddles and fish rearing ponds. |
Why it matters in a lake
Thrives where water is warm and rich in organic matter, so it is often a sign of manure or wastewater input. Grown in hatcheries as live fish food.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Occasional
- Oregon: Occasional
- Wyoming: Occasional
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Branchiopoda |
| Order | Anomopoda |
| Family | Moinidae |
| Scientific name | Moina spp. |
Daphnia (water flea)
Bosmina (snout water flea)
Ceriodaphnia (small water flea)
Chydorus (round water flea)
Simocephalus (hanging water flea)
Diaphanosoma (clear 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