What do freshwater jellyfish eat?

Freshwater jellyfish, despite their name, are not true jellyfish. They are actually a type of polyp called a hydroid, which is a relative of jellyfish.

Their diet consists primarily of tiny organisms found in the water, such as:

* Zooplankton: These are microscopic animals like rotifers, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates.

* Algae: They can consume phytoplankton and other types of algae that are suspended in the water.

* Small invertebrates: They may also catch and eat small insects and other invertebrates that come close enough.

Like other cnidarians, freshwater jellyfish use stinging cells (nematocysts) to capture and paralyze their prey before consuming them.