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.