While completing my weekly MicroAquarium observations today, I observed a number of changes and interesting organisms. The water level has fallen about 1/4 inch, and numerous oxygen bubbles have formed next to the plant. The Rotifer population has increased, especially noticeable away from the mud at the bottom. I also spotted a long worm wriggling halfway out of the mud, but failed to identify it. Additionally, I observed a large sac near the bottom. With Dr. McFarland's help, I identified it to be the bladder of a Utricularia plant with Paramecium swarming inside who were eating away at the dead plant (McFarland 2010). This was very intriguing, so I decided to take a video of it. After capturing the bladder with 10x and 40x maginification, Dr. McFarland helped me locate another Utricularia plant specimen. I separated the bladders off the stem, cut it open, and observed the individual Paramecium outside of the Utricularia sac. To do so I used the dissecting microscope and razor blade. The above video documents my observations of the Utricularia bladder and Paramecium.
On Monday, October 22, 2010, Dr. McFarland put a food pellet into each MicroAquarium tank. The specs of the food is as follows: ""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%" (McFarland 2010).
I believe that this food pellet played a major role in the growing population of various species (especially Rotifer) that I observed.
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