The zoea is a free-swimming larval stage of crustaceans. It follows the nauplius stage, and precedes the post-larva. Zoea larvae swim with their thoracic appendages (as opposed to nauplii, which use cephalic appendages, and megalopa which use abdominal appendages for swimming). It often has spikes on its carapace which may assist these small organisms in maintaining directional swimming . In many decapods, due to their accelerated development, the zoea is the first larval stage.

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