When I first looked at my Micro-Aquarium, I noticed that it still had air bubbles around the plants. I also noticed that the water level seems to have gone down a bit.
As I started at the bottom, near the soil area, I saw 4-5 of the same worm-like organisms that I have seen the last two observations. I attempted to get a photo but they were still moving too fast. There seems to be more of these than I had previously noticed. I could not identify them without a still picture but believe they are nematodes.. Again, I saw a great deal of the algae and oscillatoria from the last couple weeks.
I saw many clear blobs with flagella and a couple fast moving rotifers. I didn't find anything new until the end of my observation period. At that point I noticed a clear, amoeboid structure with cilia all around it. It was very still and then suddenly darted out of view. I was able to locate it and noticed it had a vacuole that was pulsing in the lower region. We were able to identify it as a Cyclidium from Fig. 331, on page 149 of:
Patterson DJ. Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa. Manson Publishing Ltd: London: 1992.
Most of the action in my Micro-Aquarium has slowed down and the organisms are eating each other. The Vorticella and Difflugia that I previously observed could not be found and the numbers of other unidentified organisms has diminished. This source of water held many different types of organisms and forms of biological diversity.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
November 2, 2010
When I observed my Micro-Aquarium this week, I first noticed that air bubbles were all around the plants I added last week. I determined that this was Oxygen being released by the plants. I also noticed a blue tint of cyanobacteria all around the area where the food pellet had been.
When I placed the Micro-Aquarium under the microscope I noticed immediately that the huge numbers of organisms I observed last week were no longer present. The hundreds of clear, bouncing organisms must have consumed each other as their food source disappeared.
I did observe a great deal of algae. I saw a great deal of long skinny threads that looked like noodles or worms. I was able to identify them as oscillatoria from the following source:
Forest HS. Handbook of Algae. Knoxville(TN): The University of Tennessee Press: 1954. 381.
I saw many diatoms that were non-motile. I also saw unicelluar blobs with vacuoles. I could only locate one of the several Vorticella that were seen the last two weeks. It was spinning very quickly. I saw many of the Difflugia that I had previously observed, but they were not moving this time. I did see the wormlike organism that we thought could be a Nemotode last week. He was still moving too quickly to be identified.
Overall, this week's observation was a lot less active than last week's. The food pellet that caused such a huge increase in population is now exhausted and the organisms have eaten each other up. They seem to all be slowing down and disappearing.
When I placed the Micro-Aquarium under the microscope I noticed immediately that the huge numbers of organisms I observed last week were no longer present. The hundreds of clear, bouncing organisms must have consumed each other as their food source disappeared.
I did observe a great deal of algae. I saw a great deal of long skinny threads that looked like noodles or worms. I was able to identify them as oscillatoria from the following source:
Forest HS. Handbook of Algae. Knoxville(TN): The University of Tennessee Press: 1954. 381.
I saw many diatoms that were non-motile. I also saw unicelluar blobs with vacuoles. I could only locate one of the several Vorticella that were seen the last two weeks. It was spinning very quickly. I saw many of the Difflugia that I had previously observed, but they were not moving this time. I did see the wormlike organism that we thought could be a Nemotode last week. He was still moving too quickly to be identified.
Overall, this week's observation was a lot less active than last week's. The food pellet that caused such a huge increase in population is now exhausted and the organisms have eaten each other up. They seem to all be slowing down and disappearing.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
October 26, 2010
On Friday, October 22, 2010, one beta pellet was added to my microaquarium. It was: "Atison's Betta Food" 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%.
Source: McFarland, K. 2010 October 22. [cited 2010 October 26]. Beta Food Pellet. [Internet]. Available from: http/botany1112010.blogspot.com
Today I added some more of both Plant A and Plant B as Dr. McFarland suggested. As I began to observe my microaquarium I noted the location of the pellet of food and saw that some blue cyanobacteria had formed all around it. As I tipped the microaquarium, the pellet fell to the soil area. I expected to find a great deal of activity around the pellet and was surprised that I didn't find many organisms. Since the pellet had fallen, the organisms hadn't found it yet.
I began my search for organisms at the soil level. Last time, I had found most activity in that area. I was surprised by how much activity was going on! The food pellet had really caused the organisms to multiply in a matter of days. I saw hundreds of clear, round balls at the soil level bouncing around. They appeared to move by flagella since they were jerking. In addition, I observed that the vacuoles inside were contracting and helping with the motion. They moved to quickly to be identified at this point.
I saw many individual cells floating in a gelatinous blob. I did not find any Rotifers this week and was surprised since I saw several last week. They could have been hiding in the soil area. I did see around the same number (3-4) of Vorticella that I observed last week.Also, I saw many more Difflugia than last week. In the soil area, I did see a worm-like creature that I couldn't get a good picture of to identify. However, Dr. McFarland believed it to be a Nematoad. As it ages, it should move slower so I can get a better picture for identification.
The most interesting thing I found today was a gastrotrich. It was multicellular and had two pointed toes. We determined it was of the genus Chaeonotus sp. I have included a picture for reference.
The pellet clearly was a feast for organisms in my Micro-Aquarium.
Source: McFarland, K. 2010 October 22. [cited 2010 October 26]. Beta Food Pellet. [Internet]. Available from: http/botany1112010.blogspot.com
Today I added some more of both Plant A and Plant B as Dr. McFarland suggested. As I began to observe my microaquarium I noted the location of the pellet of food and saw that some blue cyanobacteria had formed all around it. As I tipped the microaquarium, the pellet fell to the soil area. I expected to find a great deal of activity around the pellet and was surprised that I didn't find many organisms. Since the pellet had fallen, the organisms hadn't found it yet.
I began my search for organisms at the soil level. Last time, I had found most activity in that area. I was surprised by how much activity was going on! The food pellet had really caused the organisms to multiply in a matter of days. I saw hundreds of clear, round balls at the soil level bouncing around. They appeared to move by flagella since they were jerking. In addition, I observed that the vacuoles inside were contracting and helping with the motion. They moved to quickly to be identified at this point.
I saw many individual cells floating in a gelatinous blob. I did not find any Rotifers this week and was surprised since I saw several last week. They could have been hiding in the soil area. I did see around the same number (3-4) of Vorticella that I observed last week.Also, I saw many more Difflugia than last week. In the soil area, I did see a worm-like creature that I couldn't get a good picture of to identify. However, Dr. McFarland believed it to be a Nematoad. As it ages, it should move slower so I can get a better picture for identification.
The most interesting thing I found today was a gastrotrich. It was multicellular and had two pointed toes. We determined it was of the genus Chaeonotus sp. I have included a picture for reference.
The pellet clearly was a feast for organisms in my Micro-Aquarium.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
October 10/19/2010
This week I went back to the lab to view my micro-aquarium and see if I could find any changes and begin to identify organisms. I first saw the Rotifer that is pictured. It had little extensions like spurs coming out of it. One was in the soil area and another was at the top of the water moving very quickly. The exact type could not be determined because it was so fast. Dr. McFarland showed me some cyanobacteria, algae and diatoms in the water. We then observed the big round mass with 3 tendrils. We used the special 40x lens to view it and determined it was some sort of amoeba with a single cell. We determined it to be a Difflugia and the picture I added shows it in great detail. Additionally, I saw some sort of flagellate that could not be identified. It appeared to have a capsule and was dragging something by flagella. Finally, we discovered some vaselike organisms with cilia attached to a long string. We identified it as Vorticella. The vaselike structure would spin and filter debris. I took a video of it spinning and have included it. We determined that I should add more plant material next week.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
October 12, 2010
Today I set up my Micro-Aquarium. I obtained a tiny aquarium and filled it with a specimen from the following source:
4. Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge Partial shade exposure Holston River water Shed N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/10/2010
McFarland,Kenneth. Botany1112010 [Internet] Knoxville, TN: 2010[modified 2010 Oct. 10: cited 2010 Oct. 15]. Available from:
4. Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge
4. Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge Partial shade exposure Holston River water Shed N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/10/2010
McFarland,Kenneth. Botany1112010 [Internet] Knoxville, TN: 2010[modified 2010 Oct. 10: cited 2010 Oct. 15]. Available from:
I observed my MicroAquarium under the microscope and detected the presence of several (4-5) clear, oblong organisms that bounced around the soil area. I saw one tiny, green ball floating in the water.
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