The zoea (from Greek: ζωή; pl. zoeae, zoeas) 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. The zoea often has spikes on its carapace, which may assist these small organisms in maintaining directional swimming.^[1] These spikes also play a role in the improvement of buoyancy and anti-predation.

In many decapods, due to their accelerated development, the zoea is the first larval stage. In some cases, the zoea stage is followed by the mysis stage, and in others, by the megalopa stage, depending on the crustacean group involved.

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