Cyclops
Scientific Name: Cyclops species.
Group: Crustacea
Size:1mm

The mythical creature Cyclops had only one eye, so does this microscopic animal. It carries two sacks of eggs close to its tail. It is often seen with hundreds of rotifers hitching a ride

Food chain
Position in food chain:
Secondary consumer (omnivore)
They eat
algae, small animals, detritus
They are eaten by
Phantom Midge Larvae, water mites

A young Cyclops

Life cycle
The female Cyclops carries her eggs.
When the eggs hatch they look very different as this picture shows.

Find out more about Cyclops

Canterbury Environmental Education Centre