Zooplankton is a diverse group of organisms that includes both microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) . Zooplankton is a crucial part of the aquatic food chain, and many organisms depend on it for their survival. Many small aquatic animals feed exclusively on zooplankton, including small fish, shrimp, and microscopic crustaceans. Some of the most common zooplankton predators are copepods and krill, which are tiny shrimp-like animals that are found throughout the world’s oceans. Many types of fish eat zooplankton, including herring, anchovies, and sardines. Larval crabs eat both phytoplankton and zooplankton, while adult crabs eat small crustaceans, clams, and fish. Some sea animals that eat plankton include various species of fish, jellyfish, and whales.