11/10/10 Observations

Today's MicroAquarium again proved to be interesting. The most noticeable thing I observed was the decrease in population of many organisms, most noticeably the Lecane sp. rotifers. There seemed to be fewer of these swimming around near the mud and in open water. I also saw a large copepod Cyclops. I identified it by using a poster in the lab. The strange thing was, however, is that is was not moving at all. I believe it was dead. I am not certain why, but I imagine it was the same reason for the decrease in rotifer population: decreased food supply. It has been several weeks since the food tablet was put into the aquarium, and while there was a boom in population, it was only temporary. I also noticed a large worm squirming in the mud. I was fortunate to see this because I think that they are often hidden under the mud. The water level has continued to drop as well, possibly contributing to the decreased organism population.