The attack of the crusties.

Copepods

Ostracods

Water Fleas

Crustaceans in fresh water.

3 major groups...in your POND water!

1) The water fleas

2) The ostracods

3) The copepods

The water fleas are most familiar and they are the most numerous organisms in freshwater zooplankton. you can see the large ones with the naked eye.

Ostracods shell is even more protective then that of the water fleas. they can shut the two halves completely and withdraw themselves in it. they also fossilize well.

Copepods body does not have a shell like appearance but it is more slender and segmented. There are more in the ocean than in fresh water. and are often considered the most numerous animals in the planet and are a major food source for fish and even whales.