Copepods

Copepods are tiny crustaceans found in nearly all aquatic environments, including oceans, lakes, and rivers. They are an essential part of the aquatic food web, serving as a primary food source for larger fish and marine animals. Despite their small size, often less than a millimeter long, copepods play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by recycling nutrients and supporting biodiversity. They have a streamlined body, multiple appendages for swimming, and can survive in a wide range of environmental conditions. Copepods are important indicators of water quality and are studied in marine biology and ecology.