My dad found these bugs in our pond and I have been trying to find out what they are. They are a pale orange and an oblong shape. I’ve looked at one under a microscope and it appears as if it has two large claws in the front and then four small legs (two on each side). They are they are about the size of the tip of a pen. They stay under the water, and it appears as if they burrow down inside the mud at the bottom. They can move very fast for their size. I doubt that’s enough information to come up with what they are, but if you could somehow give me a lead as to what they could possibly that would be great.
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Thanks for writing. It is pretty hard to tell from just a description, but that sounds like a daphnia, maybe? They often look orangish. Does it look like either of these photos? (Side view and top view.) Daphnia are crustaceans and they are harmless. In fact, if you have other creatures in your pond, daphia make great food. Tom
Yes, it is a daphnia. Thank you so much for your help. Annie