Week ending 10/25/09

It has been a little over a week since setting up the MicroAquarium, and there seems to be a little more going on than last time. Organisms were much easier to come across and seemed to be more abundant.

First organisms noticed were Rotifers. The first of which seems to be from the genus Epiphanes. It was found on Plant A. In the first picture, you get a good look at the two rotating disks at the front. This organism was identified by using “Guide to Microlife” and found on page 183.

















There was another Rotifer noticed on the same plant, yet this one seemed to glide around the plant. The organism was identified with the help of Dr. McFarland. In the below video, you can get a good look at how the Rotifer moves.

Away from the plants, near the middle of the MicroAquarium, a Vorrtacalla was found. This organism had a "halo" of cillia around it that it uses to sift food. Identification was done with the help of Dr. McFarland.

In Plant B we see a annelida Stylaria. This multicelled segmented worm was moving around the plant. It was identified on page 227 of "Guide to Microlife".

Finally, a few Amebas were spotted through out. Also, there were a few unidentified organisms was also found near the lower center of the MicroAqarium. They moved to quickly to be identified.

At the end of the lab. The organsims were feed with one "Atison's Betta Food" pellet. "Atison's Betta Food" is made by Ocean Nutrition, Aqua Pet Americas, 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104. Ingredients: Fish meal, wheat flower, soy meal, krill meal, minerals, vitamins and preservatives. Analysis: Crude Protein 36%; Crude fat 4.5%; Crude Fiber 3.5%; Moisture 8% and Ash 15%.

At the end of the lab,