update for November 14, 2012

Lacrymaria sp.

Bibliography

Patterson, D. J., and Stuart Hedley. Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour Guide. London: Manson, 1998.

update for November 9, 2012

A significant decrease in the number of organisms was observed.  Some of the organisms previously observed were still present, but in such small numbers that an adequate visual record was not made.  The decrease in number of organisms could be attributed to the decrease in available food, with the nutrients introduced on October 26 having been consumed and no additional nutrients having been introduced.

update for October 31st, 2012

A significant increase in the number of organisms was observed.  This was likely due to the addition of a food pellet on October 26 ("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%.)

 

The organisms observed and recorded last week, Haltera sp. and Tachysoma sp., were both still present.

All images captured using a Sony HDR-HC9 video camera attached to an Olympus CH30 microscope.

Bibliography
Patterson, D. J., and Stuart Hedley. Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour Guide. London: Manson, 1998.
Pennak, Robert W. Fresh-Water Invertebrates of the United States: Protozoa to Mollusca. New York: Wiley, 1989.