On Tuesday, I went to observe my microaquarium and had the chance to look at it under the microscope connected to the computer. I was much easier to locate organisms and I also was able to take pictures and videos that I have yet to post. I found a few organisms that we were able to identify. The first being an algae called "Eugiena Spyrogyra". It had a spot near the tip called the "eye spot" and stripes on its body called the "pellicles". It also had what is called a "flagellum". It is what propels the organism into motion (Forest, 1954). The second identified organism was a "Rotifer". It was by far the most interesting. It had a spinning head that would draw in water and would process the water through its body and shoot it out it's side. Another organism was a "Paranemia"; it is classified as a protozoa (Patterson, 1998). It had a very distinct flagellum that showed up quite nicely in pictures. There were also several other things that I was unable to identify. After I observed my microaquarium, I placed a food pellet in it as instructed.
Helpful References:
"Atison's Betta Food" 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%.
Forest, Herman S. Handbook of Algae. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee, 1954. Print. Patterson, D.J. Free-Living Fresh Water Protozoa A Colour Guide. New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc, 1998. Print.
