There was a beta food pellet in my aquarium this week. There was a frenzy of activity around the food, mostly Coleps(Patterson, 1992). The number of Coleps throughout the aquarium has increased significantly. The larger Dero (Pennak, 1989) is about the same. It moved more toward the bottom middle of the tank. The smaller Deros ( Pennak, 1989) have decreased in number but the ones I saw were larger than before. Overall, there is much more life all throughout the tank. Most organisms have increased in number. I identified two new organisms. They are the Cyclidium (Patterson, 1992) and the Pinnularia (Patrick, 1966).
Cyclidium (Patterson, 1992) 149p. Fig. 331
I found Cyclidium in the open water near the bottom of the tank. It would have very sudden movements after being still for a moment. It is a multicellular organism without chlorophyll. There were several in the aquarium.
Pinnularia (Patrick, 1966) 650 p.
The Pinnularia was found around the middle of the tank in open water. I only saw a few of them. This is a multicellular organism without chlorophyll.
Bibliography:
1. Patterson, DJ. 1992. Free-living Freshwater Protozoa: A color guide. London (UK): Manson Publishing Ltd. 163 p. Fig. 377. & 149 p. Fig. 331.
2. Pennak, Robert W. 1989. Fresh-Water Invertebrates of the United States: Protozoa to Mollusca. 3rd ed. United States:John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 228, 229, & 301 p.
3. Patrick, Ruth. Reimer, Charles W. 1966. The Diatoms of the United States. Philadelphia: The Livingston Publishing Company. 650 p.