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.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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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