Aquarium Project: Observations from November 10th

On November 10th several species were documented, although the population was still rather active, there was a notable decline from the activity present in the previous week. The aquarium had a large amount of algae growing and filling the empty spaces. My water source is the Carter Mill Park at spring source, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. Tennessee Partial shade exposure N36 01.168 W83 42.832 940 ft 10/12/2014.

Organisms

The Chaetonotus species were by far the most abundant organisms in the micro aquarium this week and have been consistently throughout the project. (Patterson 2003)

This algae species was relatively abundant in the micro aquarium and is largely characterized by its joints. (Forest 1954)

Coleochaete is an algae that was present in small amounts within the aquarium. It is easily distinguished by the small jointed pieces. (Forest 1954)

Coleps is a cilliate species and was present in moderate numbers within the tank this week. It should be noted that were fewer Coleps this week than last week. (Patterson 2003)

Epalxis is an incredibly small organism that proved to be difficult to capture an image of and was present in moderate amounts in the micro aquarium. (Patterson 2003)

Stylaria were rather large worm-like organisms with large spines, I noticed two in the micro aquarium this week. This species tended to stay at the bottom of the aquarium.

Tachysoma was present in moderate quantities in the tank, it should be noted that the populations of this species were depleted from the previous week. (Patterson 2003)

Euplodus, a relatively abundant micro organism, had a small belt-like feature that appeared as if it was spinning on the organism. (Patterson 2003)

The Nematode present in this image was moving continuously and was incredibly large relative to the other organisms in the micro aquarium.


Several Rotifers were viewed in the micro aquarium with the appearance of the one above. The viewed Rotifers all had a rather wrinkled look and had two toes. It should be noted that images of the Rotifers were rather difficult to obtain due to their movement.