Large water flea

Daphnia magna

Daphnia magna

  • They are found in both freshwater and brackish water bodies.
  • They are susceptible to fish predation and often occur in fishless water bodies such as rocky pools and ponds.
  • Body colours depend on its food source.
  • Females can produce a clutch of eggs about every 2-4 days, with an average of 6-10 eggs (but can be over 100 eggs).
  • Females keep recently hatched offspring in brood chambers for about 3 days.
  • During large part of the growing season, females reproduce asexually with diploid eggs that all develop to females.
  • In adverse environmental conditions, females produce haploid eggs that are fertilised by males.
  • These dormant eggs can “rest” in the sediment for many years, until environmental conditions become favourable.
  • They can rapidly adapt to anthropogenic stressors.
Contact person

Fengzhi He

Guest Scientist
Research group
Aquatic Ecogeography

Sonja Jähnig

Head of Department
Research group
Aquatic Ecogeography