When i first got my MicroAquarium from the storage bins, a lot of water had evaporated out of it. I thought this was strange because I made sure to put more water in it before I left my second observation. Upon putting it under the microscope, I found there were hardly any living organisms left, well compared to my last observation, where there were numerous organisms all over. I found about two different nematodes in the bottom right corner around Plant B in the aquarium. Upon scanning the whole aquarium I saw about 5 cyclopses, and I could not find the vorticella that had been living in my aquarium. There were numerous different dead organisms found along the bottom of the aquarium. Like other observations, all of the action was happening around the bottom layer of the aquarium, and mostly on the right plant, Plant B. I did find one new organism that Dr. McFarland identified as a water mite. It was found in the bottom right of Plant B. Below is a citation of the book I used to identify the water mite. Upon looking in the book, Guide to Microlife, I found that it is closely related to spiders and in the family Hydrachnidae.
Rainis, Kenneth G., and Bruce J. Russell. Guide to Microlife. Danbury (Connecticut): Franklin Watts, 1996. Print.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Second Observation - November 3, 2011
Upon second observation of my MicroAquarium, a lot had changed. I saw three different cyclopses along the bottom left side of the aquarium, mostly around Plant A. Then just scanning the bottom layer where the mud is located I saw five different cyclopses. In the far right corner of my aquarium, near Plant B, I found three different nematodes. I also saw one vorticella swiftly flipping in circles all around the bottom layer of the aquarium. There were also a bunch of tiny paramecium swimming around everywhere. It seemed like all the action was taking place in the bottom layer of the aquarium and mostly around the right plant, Plant B. I'm assuming it was where the remainders of the food had collected.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
First Observation - October 27, 2011
I went and first observed my MicroAquarium on Thursday, October 27, 2011. When I first observed my MicroAquarium after initially setting it up, there was nothing going on. I did not see any organisms or anything out of the ordinary. However, this observation was a different story. There were multiple organisms found throughout the aquarium. I was using the microscope that is hooked up to the camera for picture taking, so it was easy to see everything that was going on. Also, all of the images I will list below were taken under the 40x magnification. The first group of organisms that I observed were tons of little paramecium that were floating towards the bottom of my aquarium. The next organism that I saw was identified as a Cyclopse. Next time I go to the lab to observe my MicroAquarium, I will get more information on all of the creatures I list as far as what exactly they are, what family they are in, etc. After observing and identifying the Cyclopse, I noticed that there were two dead ones found along the bottom of the aquarium. The next organism that I noticed was identified as a Vorticella. I saw one floating around the left plant in the aquarium and another one close to the right plant in the aquarium. Under high magnification, you can see the bright colors of the Vorticella. Both of these were also found towards the bottom. One other organism I noticed was identified as a Nematoda, or a Roundworm. There were a couple of these also found in the bottom section of my aquarium. Below are the first images I captured upon my first observation of my MicroAquarium. Also I wanted to note that on Friday, October 21, Dr. McFarland added some food to the aquariums. The food 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%.
Below is the citation of where I received information on these three organisms:
Vorticella
Below is the citation of where I received information on these three organisms:
Vorticella
Pennak, Robert W. Page 71. Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States. New York: Ronald, 1953. Print.
Cyclops
Pennak, Robert W. Page 288. Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States. New York: Ronald, 1953. Print.
Nematoda
Pennak, Robert W. Page 215. Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States. New York: Ronald, 1953. Print.
Initial Set Up - October 12, 2011
In lab on October 12, 2011, we set up our own MicroAquariums. Each of us took samples from freshwater sources found throughout east Tennessee. We took samples from the bottom layer, middle layer, and top layer of the water source we chose and added two different plants to the MicroAquariums. Both of which are listed below. Upon completion, we observed our MicroAquariums for the first time before capping them off and storing them.
There was nothing substantial or worth mentioning about the first inspection after we set up the aquariums.
My water source came from:
Pond at Sterchi Hills Greenway Trail.
9. Pond at Sterchi Hills Greenway Trail. Rife Range Rd. Knox Co. Knoxville TN Full sun exposure. Sheet runoff N36 02.687 W83 57.159 1065 ft 10/9/2011
There was nothing substantial or worth mentioning about the first inspection after we set up the aquariums.
My water source came from:
Pond at Sterchi Hills Greenway Trail.
9. Pond at Sterchi Hills Greenway Trail. Rife Range Rd. Knox Co. Knoxville TN Full sun exposure. Sheet runoff N36 02.687 W83 57.159 1065 ft 10/9/2011
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