Water mites can be found in quiet waters among the roots of marsh plants or among the muck and decaying matter on the bottom. They have six, hairy body appendages, only four are legs which they use for swimming. The hairy legs enable them to swim fast, and their erratic swimming style makes them difficult to photograph. The red spot at the center of the head is a light sensitive eye.
Mites feed only in daylight.
During the night they remain completely motionless - like statues, until the morning dawn. This 500 micron Mite was photographed at 400x.