Larger Zooplankton: Larger zooplankton, like krill and copepods, eat smaller zooplankton.
Fish: Many fish species rely on zooplankton as a major food source. This includes:
* Young fish: Zooplankton are essential for the development of young fish.
* Larger predatory fish: Some larger fish, like herring and sardines, filter zooplankton from the water.
Whales:
* Baleen whales: These whales, such as humpback whales, blue whales, and fin whales, have baleen plates in their mouths instead of teeth. They filter massive amounts of zooplankton from the water.
Other Marine Animals:
* Jellyfish: Some jellyfish species consume zooplankton.
* Sea turtles: Some sea turtles, like loggerhead turtles, are zooplankton eaters.
* Birds: Seabirds like penguins and shearwaters feed on zooplankton.
Invertebrates:
* Squid: Squid, especially young squid, consume zooplankton.
* Sea anemones: Some sea anemones catch zooplankton with their stinging tentacles.
Remember, the specific predators of zooplankton vary depending on the location, season, and the type of zooplankton. But all these creatures play important roles in the balance of the marine ecosystem.