Cyanobacteria
ExplorePlants
Cyanobacteria
cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria are tiny organisms that can create their own food from sunlight! They often look like green slime in water and can be found in ponds and lakes.
Habitat: Freshwater, saltwater, and even damp soil.
Appearance
The Cyanobacteria often appears as microscopic cells that form slimy, filamentous, or colonial structures visible to the naked eye. These can display vibrant hues, typically ranging from blue-green to olive green, sometimes with reddish or brownish tones.
KingdomBacteriaClassCyanophyceaeOrderNostocales
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Cyanobacteria are Earth's oldest known fossils, dating back 3.5 billion years!
Some tiny cyanobacteria produce a natural 'sunscreen' to shield themselves from UV rays!
The vibrant pink color of some flamingos comes from eating certain cyanobacteria!
They can form vast, colorful mats in oceans and lakes, visible from space!
Special abilities
Ability
Solar Powerhouse
Cyanobacteria can capture sunlight to create their own food and release oxygen, powering life on Earth.
Ability
Nutrient Magician
Cyanobacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, enriching soil and water for other living things.
Ability
Super Sticky Builders
Cyanobacteria can form strong biofilms and colonies, allowing them to thrive in diverse and sometimes harsh environments.
Ability
Color Changing Camouflage
Some cyanobacteria have special pigments that can change color, helping them adapt to different light conditions.
Measurements & details
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
water flea
Daphnia pulex
Common food source for small aquatic invertebrates.
eaten by
zebra mussel
Dreissena polymorpha
Filter-feeding mussels consume cyanobacteria from water.
symbiotic with
dog lichen
Peltigera canina
Forms lichen partnerships, providing food for fungi.
symbiotic with
mosquito fern
Azolla filiculoides
Lives in fern leaves, fixing nitrogen for the plant.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
blue-green algaemicroalgaepond slime
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cyanobacteria edible?
No
Is Cyanobacteria toxic?
High
What is Cyanobacteria's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is Cyanobacteria usually found?
Freshwater, saltwater, and even damp soil.
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