Week 5

Just like last week, the populations of the organisms seem to have increased.

The Vorticella has spread throughout the tank and is now visible even in the moss at the top of the tank.

The Copepods, seed shrimp and possible Noteus pupulations have increased as well.

The moss is growing red filiments.

There is considerably less Wolfia and lots of brown debris along the bottom of the tank. Since I have observed all of the organisms consuming the Wolfia, I wonder if the decrease will eventually be a limiting factor in population growth.

Week 4

Observations:

Basically, there has been considerable population growth in all previously seen organisms.

There are multiple Vorticella all along the bottom of the tank in the Wolfia as well as some growing from the silicon holding the tank together.

The Copepod and seed shrimp populations have also increased.

There are dozens of single celled protists, Cilliates, moving around in the moss.


I wonder how long it would take for the tank to reach its maximum capacity and for the populations to start decreasing.

Week 3: Vorticella

Week 3

Observations:

The feeding seemed to spur a large population growth in Copepods. There are many of them in different stages of life. They range in size from extremely small to a little larger. Some of the Copepods have two egg sacs attached to their sides, so I expect to see an even greater population of copepods next week.

I found two dead seed shrimp and one live one at the bottom of the tank in the Wolfia.

In a molted shell of a seed shrimp, I saw multiple single celled protists that look like little worms. These are some type of Cilliate.

I also found another rotifer that is about the same size as the Copepod. It resembles a drawing of a Noteus, as found in Henry Baldwin Ward's Freshwater Biology.

Another new find was an organism that resembles an arm reaching out with a suction cup on the end. These are called Vorticella. I found one in the Wolfia along the bottom of the tank and two a little higher up.

Feeding

"On Thursday October 25, 2007 one pellet of "Atison's Betta Food" was added to each Micro Aquaria. It is 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%."