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The point-and-shoot photo at 40x shows some strange arthropods lifted from the sides of our garden fish pond. The animal is incased in what looks like a shell, similar to that of a mussel or a clam. They move about fairly briskly. Any idea what these can be? They are a bit reminiscent of a flea, and only slightly smaller. And of course, wetter.

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OK, after a brief search, I think they are called Daphnia.
Daphnia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They look a bit weird for daphnia. I'm new to this foroum, but keep tropical fish, and daphnia are sold as live food for them in fish shops.

The don't have whatever the external apendages are called, so it makes me think we're seeing them mostly developed, but still in eggs.

Fish love 'em.

I think they are ostracods.

__________________
John Karlsson
Hope Valley, RI

Don't count your chickens until they have burned their bridges behind them.

I think that is closer to the truth! The article at Ostracod - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia does indeed make mention of the bivalves.

Thanks philaw and karlssoni

Mintaka

Hi Mintaka,

These apear to be cypris, which is a form of ostracod.

Regards,

Peter.