Diatoms form most of the phytoplankton, with Cyclotella, Melosira, Stephanodiskus and Synedra. Dominant copepod species in summer 2011 include Cyclops scutifer and the dominant cladocerans Daphnia longiremis. Other species as well as rotifers are also present, they constitute sources of food for sockeye salmons. A number of annelid species are also found, many of the species that are found in neighbouring waters cannot be found in the lake. The chironomid midge Chaetocladius tatianae is endemic to the Kurile Lake watershed.