10/23/09: 2nd observation of micro-aquarium. When I came into the lab I noticed that the top had been knocked off of my aquarium, and as a result there was slightly less water in it. One of the first observations made is that there were many dead organisms around the dirt at the bottom of container. This seems understandable after being reminded to feed my unit before I leave. This small whip-like creatures that I had observed before seemed to have passed on as well, although they were the most abundant last time. The variety seemed to have lessened, but some of the creatures that remained had possibly grown in number.
I quickly saw a large roundish creature consuming something. It had flapping cilia pushing things into its mouth and it would take a break to digest every now and again. It vibrated brilliantly and had a very thick flagella. From the viewed angle it seemed to be consuming a plant strand but I am not sure. A few hot-dog shaped organizing persisted since the last observation as well. I once again viewed a large colonial sac filled with what looks to be chloroplasts, at least 100 or so. There were also small round organisms suckling on the side of this.
Before leaving I placed one pellet of beta fish food in the container. The label read: "Atison's Betta Food" is made by Ocean Nutrition, Aqua Pet Americas, 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104. Ingredients: Fish meal, wheat flower, 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%".