There is a pair of long setae on the dorsal edge of the postabdomen. The postabdomen can be straightened so that it extends posteriorly from the carapace. The animal appears to be kicking when it does this and, if your specimen is alive, you will no double see this motion. The postabdomen and its claws are used to clean the thoracic appendages. Most species of Daphnia possess a posterior apical spine on the carapace that may make its owner more difficult to eat.
Many species also have a spine on the head.
Planktonic cladocerans are eaten by zooplanktivorous fishes and by other invertebrates, especially the larvae of the phantom midge, Chaoborus . The C-shaped intestine should be evident, at least for part of its length, extending from the mouth, through the dorsal thorax, through the postabdomen to the anus near the distal end of the postabdomen. The regions of the intestine filled with phytoplankton are easily seen and are likely to be green or maybe brown. Parts that are empty are more difficult to see. Food gathered by the thoracic appendages moves anteriorly along a ventral food groove propelled by the same thoracopod movements that filter the food from the water in the first place.