Spiny Water Flea

Scientific name: Bythotrephes longimanus (Leydig, 1860)

Synonym: Bythotrephes cederstroemi

Common name: Spiny water flea

Native To: Northern Europe

Date of U.S. Introduction: First discovered in Lake Huron in 1984; established in all of the Great Lakes by 1987

Images: Google

Means of Introduction: Accidentally introduced through ballast water

Impact: Has caused a decline in the population of zooplankton as a result of predation; may also compete with some native species, such as perch and small crustaceans

Current U.S. Distribution:

• Great Lakes Region (NAS Database map)
• Ontario Spiny Water Flea Distribution (maps); also contains Great Lakes Region)

Management Plans: Aquatic Species

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Bythotrephes longimanus
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Harmful Aquatic Hitchhikers: Crustaceans: Spiny Water Flea and Fishhook Water Flea
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Bythotrephes longimanus Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Spiny Water Flea, Bythotrephes cederstroemi
USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Life Cycle

Bythotrephes longimanus - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database
DOI. USGS. Southeast Ecological Science Center.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Special Note: Distribution maps and collection information (State and County)

Aquatic Invasive Species: Spiny and Fishhook Water Fleas (PDF | 152 KB)
Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus)
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Dispersion

Aquatic Nuisance Species: Bythotrephes cederstroemi (Spiny waterflea)
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle

Alien Profile: Spiny Water Flea
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Spiny Waterflea
State of Wisconsin. Vilas County Land and Water Conservation Committee.
Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Controls

Spiny Water Flea - Exotic Aquatics on the Move
National Sea Grant Network and Geographic Education Alliances.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Controls

Zooplankton of the Great Lakes: Bythotrephes cederstroemi
Central Michigan University.
Taxonomy; Photographs; Life Cycle; Distribution

Life History and Effects on the Great Lakes of the Spiny Tailed Bythotrephes
University of Minnesota. Minnesota Sea Grant.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Illustrations; Impacts; Life Cycle

Spiny and Fishhook Waterflea
University of Minnesota. Minnesota Sea Grant.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Controls

Aquatic Invaders: Spiny Water Flea (PDF | 685 KB)
National Sea Grant College Program; Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

The Spiny Water Flea, Bythotrephes longimanus (PDF | 956 KB)
Ohio State University. Ohio Sea Grant College Program.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts

Spiny and Fishhook Water Flea (PDF | 768 KB)
Pennsylvania Sea Grant.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls

Waterfleas - Aquatic Invasive Species of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Sea Grant and Penn State Erie - The Behrend College.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Invader of the Month: Spiny Water Flea (Jun 2002)
University of Tennessee. Institute for Biological Invasions.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Spiny Water Flea
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (Canada). Invading Species Awareness Program.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls

Bythotrephes longimanus (crustacean) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Organizations

Spiny Water Flea in the Great Lakes Region
Great Lakes Information Network.
Photographs; Introduction History