October 30th: Feeding the Organisms

October 30^th,

In addition to extra water, due to evaporation within the microaquarium, there was one food pellet added on October 24^th, 2014. The pellet 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%. With the addition of the pellet food there was an increase in organisms (McFarland 2014).

The microaquarium had many different organisms this time, there was less water in the aquarium, but many more organisms. There were 5 rotifers which were moving quickly on the bottom of the aquarium. There are many fast moving nematodes throughout the tank. There were many dark organelles in the middle of the aquarium and spin in the circles constantly. I also saw many diatoms, which we wormlike organisms with a gold color that we very slow moving. Also finding 3 stinters, and the bring  green algae eutricularia.

Image 1.

Image 1 shows the euplotus rotifer from two different views, from the side (left) and from looking over the top (right). In my microaquarium there were four euplotus rotifers total. The rotifer has a transparent body and large spine like cellia. (Patterson p. 124) The cellis of the euplotus make the organism look like it is "walking".

Image 2

The image above shows the euchlanis  rotifer. A different species of rotifer than what was shown in Image 1. The organism has a ciliated corona, or head (Stemberge p. 60). It also has two toes used for swimming and live near the middle of the tank most likely looking for smaller organisms to snack on.

Image 3.

The stentor is one of the largest organisms I would in my microaquarium. They are horn shaped and reproduce asexually through binary fission. (Patterson p. 113). I found many of these organisms in my microaquarium and throughout the middle sections and moving fairly slow.

Bibliography

McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2014. Nov 1. Available from http://botany1112014.blogspot.com/

Steberge, Richard. A Guide to Rotifers of the Laurentian Lakes. Pellston: U of Michigan, 1998. Print.

Patterson, DJ. Free Living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour Guide. Washington DC: Mason, 1996. Print.