What's this little creature found in my pond?

April 18, 2013 8:35 PM

I saw this little critter swimming around in my outdoor goldfish pond. It's maybe a little over 1/8" in diameter, seems to paddle around carelessly with feet/paddles on its underside. It's kind of flat, roundish and transparent, except for some spidery markings/innards. Seems to have a hint of a tail, and a couple eye-like spots. A search for baby crawfish turns up nothing quite like this. Mysterious how he got in the pond in the first place.
posted by 2N2222 to Science & Nature (6 answers total)

Best answer: He travelled in on a fish - I think that is a fish louse. They are kind of cute, I always think.
posted by Kaleidoscope at 9:26 PM on April 18, 2013 [1 favorite]

I thought the little guy in your photo was awwww so cuuuuuute too but I googled fish louse after seeing Kaleidoscope's answer and OH MY GOD NO NO NO
posted by threeants at 9:45 PM on April 18, 2013 [20 favorites]

Response by poster: You folks got it. Thanks!
posted by 2N2222 at 10:07 PM on April 18, 2013

Almost wish I hadn't checked the answers. I was looking at the pictures, thinking, "Awww, I hope he put it back in the water".
posted by bonobothegreat at 7:19 AM on April 19, 2013 [4 favorites]

threeants - worst thing i've ever seen!
posted by stevedawg at 8:13 AM on April 19, 2013

Now that I've seen google, I don't like it any more :-(
posted by glasseyes at 4:43 PM on April 19, 2013