Date: Oct. 30 2009

New Info:

I found many new organisms that weren't present on my last observation. I also noticed that many rotifers were congregating on the very edges of the aquarium. Possibly because the migrate towards where food is the most plentiful? Here are some pictures of new organisms.

Phylum: Ciliophora
Vorticella Monilatum

This little guy can be found attached to plants. I used the book Microscopic Fresh Water Life by Plaskit to identify.


This is a nymph of a cyclops. He was found scavenging around down towards the bottom of the aquarium close to the soil.

This is the adult version of the cyclops.

Week 1 Observations

Date : Oct. 22

Water Source - Greenhouse (various locations). I took water samples from cold water tanks, outdoor beds, and pools of water on the concrete. Some dirt from the ground also found its way into the aquarium during this process.


Organisms - I added two plants to the aquarium. Both were of different species, and were only labeled as plant A and B. After observing my aquarium underneath a microscope, I found many different types of organisms. Among the life were ostracods, rotifers, and mosquito larvae. All of the organisms were constantly eating and moving. Guide to Microlife by Kenneth Rainis and Bruce Russell were used in identifying these organisms.
This is a rotifer in action. It has cilia around its anterior end that directs water flow and food particles towards its mouth.