Larval copepods are microscopic crustaceans constrained by strong viscous forces in water. Swimming and maneuvering in three dimensions require a careful coordination of the appendages and the tail. High-speed videos reveal intriguing kinematics, consisting of asynchronous beating in a metachronal rhythm. Mathematical modeling elucidates the basic physical mechanisms underlying the locomotion and rotation with stiff body parts, which could be readily implemented in robotics and engineering applications. I will present an overview of the recent experimental and theoretical findings.