Types of Water Fleas Fish Feed
Water fleas are small animals that belong to zooplankton and live abundantly around us. The water flea being discussed here is certainly not the foot disease caused by fungi, but rather water fleas that resemble shrimp, but are very small in size. Water fleas are also not classified as insects, even though their name includes "flea." Similar to water bears, they are also not mammals, despite the name "bear."
Generally, these water fleas can be found in ditches, ponds, rivers, or puddles. The color of water fleas is usually reddish and they tend to swarm in the water.
Types of Water Fleas
There are various types of water fleas that have been identified. What are they?
Daphnia
Daphnia is the most commonly encountered water flea in the market. Daphnia can easily be found in reservoirs, ponds, lakes, or swamps. Their size ranges from about 0.2 to 5 millimeters. Their bodies are transparent, allowing you to see their bodily mechanisms clearly if you use a microscope.
Moina
The moina water flea is very easy to find in Indonesia. Moina is a type that reproduces very easily. There are also capsules of moina eggs available in the market. When the capsules are placed in water, these water fleas will hatch very easily. Their size can reach 1.8 millimeters if left in water for 1 day.
Cyclops
The cyclops water flea has the characteristic of having two long antennae. Cyclops can be easily distinguished from other water fleas. They can be found all over the world except Australia. Cyclops are usually easily found in lakes.
Chydorus
Chydorus resembles daphnia, but it is more oval and plump. Its size is about 0.3 millimeters. Chydorus does not have legs or antennae. It moves using fine hairs on its body.
Bosmia
This water flea is very small compared to other types. Its size is only 1-3 micrometers. The bosmia water flea has several legs and vibrating hairs used for movement and capturing food.
Diaptomus
Diaptomus looks almost similar to cyclops. It also has only one eye spot. The difference between diaptomus and cyclops is the length of its antennae, which are very wide and exceed its body length.
Ceriodaphnia
This water flea is a close relative of the daphnia type. However, ceriodaphnia has strong antennae used for movement. Ceriodaphnia is often used to determine the toxicity level of industrial wastewater.
Bythotrephes
This type is larger compared to other water fleas. Its size is about 15 millimeters. This water flea has a long and spiny backbone. Its body shape makes it unsuitable as fish feed.
Water Fleas Used for Fish Feed
In addition to those mentioned above, there are many other types of water fleas that can be found in the world. However, only a few types are used for fish feed.
Some types of water fleas used for fish feed are daphnia, moina, and chydorus. The reason these types are used for fish feed is that these three types of water fleas are easily found in Indonesia. Additionally, you can cultivate these types of water fleas easily even in simple and makeshift media.
Another reason why only these types are used for fish feed is that these types have been proven to increase the protein intake of ornamental fish without the fear of side effects from giving other types of water fleas.
Author: Iskael
