Water fleas are not actually fish, but rather tiny freshwater crustaceans belonging to the order Cladocera, with Daphnia being the most well-known genus. These minute organisms are crucial to aquatic ecosystems as a primary food source for many fish species, and they are also harvested for use as live feed in aquaculture and the aquarium trade. The countries most actively involved in the commercial harvesting and cultivation of water fleas are China, Thailand, and Indonesia, where aquaculture industries utilize them to feed fry and juvenile fish. In these countries, Daphnia are collected from natural water bodies or cultured in controlled environments to supply both domestic and international markets. While not a target for human consumption, water fleas play a vital role in supporting the broader fishing and aquaculture industries in these leading nations.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.