There are many animals from around the world that feed on duckweed as an important part of their diet. All types of animals such as fish, ducks and geese, small mammals and reptiles, is even known to eat aquatic plants, duckweed and others. Humans also eat duckweed in some areas. Duckweed can be an ideal food source for animal feed, because it grows quickly and requires little care or maintenance. For some people, duckweed can be a hassle. Duckweed can be an important part of the diet of duck that is available, but the ducks eat is rarely sufficient to control the rate of growth of the duckweed plant or have a significant effect on surface area coverage .

There is also a great variety of fish known to eat duckweed. Many types of carp love to eat duckweed. It is big enough fish can help control the growth of duckweed in small ponds. Another fish that likes to eat the duckweed is the tilapia. Tilapia is commonly using duckweed as a source of food. Many other tropical fish and freshwater also eat duckweed plants if introduced into an environment containing the duck weed. Duckweed also helps filter out pollutants in water, so the cleaner ponds and aquariums.

Some mammals are also known to eat the duckweed from time to time. Pigs are often fed foods with herbs duck and other aquatic plants.