These limbs are not modified in the male. The feeding method of notostracans is similar to that proposed for the ancestral crustacean. Motion of the gnathobases moves food anteriorly in the food groove. The large flat exopods are primarily responsible for stirring sediments. Fine silt particles and water escape laterally but coarse particles, including food, remain in the groove.
Particulate food includes small insect larvae, oligochaete worms, and tadpoles.
Notostracans may also suspension feed while swimming. For this they use the setae of the endites. To observe predation simply place a tadpole shrimp in a small dish with some brine shrimp smaller than the tadpole. Small oligochaetes such as Tubifex can also be used. Observe the shrimp with the dissecting microscope.