General Description
Body rounded with eight legs. Colour varies, including red, brown or transparent. Up to 5 mm long.
Biology
The red Water Mites are usually toxic to predators, such as fish, but some red species cheat and avoid being eaten by having a red body without any toxins. Adult Water Mites are usually predators, attaching themselves to aquatic insects and crustaceans and using a pointed beak to attack the prey.
Distribution
Mainland Australia and Tasmania.
Habitat
Fast and slow-flowing freshwater areas.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Round body, eight legs.
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Diet
Carnivore
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Diet Categories
Insects, Invertebrates
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Endemicity
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Taxon Name
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Common Name
Water Mite
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
