Observations 2: Ocotber 23, 2013

1. Diatoms
There are several diatoms in the aquarium. They seem to be the most abundant organism. Most of them are a yellow/golden color and are long, banana shaped. However, many of the smaller ones seem to be clear and not colored at all. They have valves at either end and some seem to have lobed valves at the end and others more pointed. They don't move very often, but when they do, their movement is not extremely rapid, but it's not very slow either. The two genera that seem to be in the tank are: Pinnularia sp. and Navicula sp.. They look very similar except for their valves.
(Patrick & Reimer 1996)

2. Oscilatoria sp.

• Single-celled
• Very long
• Moves very slowly
• Towards the bottom of the aquarium, near the sediment
• Organism tapers at the end
• Movement: curls and uncurls

This organism is likely the longest organism I've seen in the tank so far. It is very long and thin and does not seem to move very much. It tapers at one end where the head seems to be.

(Prescott 1964)

3. Nostoc sp.

• Multicelluar
• Segmented
• Towards the top of the tank
• Slow moving

This organism looks like a segmented worm with equal sized segments except the head seems to be a bit larger and shaped slightly differently. It moves very slow and is dark colored.

(Prescott 1964)

4. Other Organisms Observed

• There are still very fast moving, small organisms that have yet to be identified. They are by far the fastest moving organisms in the tank.
• A gigantic organism was seen in the sediment, but was hiding too well to make out what it might be. It looked like and extremely large worm. Likely the biggest organism observed in the tank thus far.
• Diatoms still seem to be the prevailing organism in the tank. They are the most abundant organism observed.

Note: On Friday, October 25, 2013 an Atison's Betta Food food pellet was dropped into the microaquarium. The beta food is made by Ocean Nutrition, Aqua Pet Americas, 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104.
Ingredients: Fish meal, wheat flour, 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%.