Week 2: Feeding Time

Well it is the 2nd week since the birth of my microaqarium; and my 2nd look at the life inside of it. This week I noticed that there had been some changes inside the aquarium. Some of the lifeforms I had seen at the start were not present this time. However, I did see some lifeforms and proof of breeding. I did notice at least 3 different lifeforms within the aquarium; which with the help of Dr.McFarland I was able to sort of idenify them. A fluke, cyclops, and a planera were some of the micro-heroes of life in my aquarium.Before I left I dropped a food pelet into my aquarium to ensure surivial of my new pets. The food was "Atison's Betta Food" it is made by Ocean Nutrition, Aqua Pet Americas, 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104. The ingredients include: Fish meal, wheat flower, soy meal, krill meal, minerals, vitamins, and perservatives. Analysis: Crude protein 36%, Crude fat 4.5%, Crude fiber 3.5%, Moisture 8% and Ash 15%.

This little cutie to the right is a baby

Cyclops and proof that breeding is occuring within the aquarium. Top left is a possible parent of the little one.

This next picture is of the king of the aquarium in size and coolness (in my opinion), this is a fluke. I call him Cornelius, Meet Cornelius =]. He is camera shy and runs as soon as the light hits him, which explains the blurry picture.

Cornelius did however allow one good picture:

of his behind, which I think is his way of telling me to keep the light/camera off him.

Week 1: Creation of my MicroAquarium

My microaquarium was born October 14 2009. The water and sediments used for my microaquarium came from Tommy Schumpert Pond, Seven Islands Wildlife refuge. Located on Kelly Lane Koxville, Tn. The pond has partial shade exposure and sheet runoff around a sink hole. I will be making observations every week, for the next four weeks and writing what I see in a series of blogs.

Picture of Tommy Schumpert Pond: taken by Dr. Ken McFarland

When looking at my microaquarium under the microscope, I noticed many micro-lifeforms within it. There were larger ones that stayed near the bottom near the sediments and plants. There were also tiny worm like creatures that stayed in the middle and top areas of the microaquarium. I did not have a chance to identify the organisms this week during my observation. But hopefully I will begin to in as my observations continue over the next 4 weeks.