micro critter i.d.
My internet searches lead me to amazing ultra-close ups of rotifers, copepods and such, including several stunning threads right here at crustaforum.
But, at home, when I'm looking into the tank/bowl/pond with my magnifying glass and spectacles perched on my nose, I see blurry little dots, moving amid the daphnia and copepods.
Here are two photos of little dots. This culture is two years old. It began with some green water and thread algae collected at a local pond & landscape store. I harvest the creatures with a turkey baster, for feeding to my fish. (My ghost shrimp could catch them, and made a point of doing so.) I replace an equal amount of tank water back into the culture each time. They're in an east window.
The little white dots cling to the algae/bacterial growth covering surfaces. (1st photo) They move in horizontal patterns. At night, even under a bright light, little white dots are seen swimming in little clouds (2nd photo, with daphnia). They're less than half to a quarter the the size of daphnia, and come in different shapes.
The black dots (3rd photo) also move along surfaces of any sort, in a somewhat agitated manor, as if late for something important. They are very numerous at time, though, to be fair, they may appear so prolific simply because they're easy to see.
I'm not looking for a specific species id (not with these pics:-). I'd just like to know, generaly... infusoria, rotifers, space aliens? Thanks for reading.
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Originally Posted by Kim
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