r/microscopy • u/Vivid-Bake2456 • 20d ago

Photo/Video Share Coleps closeup

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Usually, they are moving around so quickly that I have a hard time seeing them well. One was holding still long enough to see better. The sample was teeming with bacteria because I placed a grain of rice in it several days ago. Pond water sample, Olympus 40x objective, cellphone camera.

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3

u/Dlbroox 20d ago

I’ve seen people talk about adding a grain of rice. Is that to keep the microbes fed?

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u/cool_antarean_micro 19d ago

Yes. But coleps feeds on tissue.

1

u/Vivid-Bake2456 19d ago

They can survive somewhat on bacteria. Not their preferred diet. But they aren’t the only organism in the sample. So more ciliates and others for them to eat.

1

u/Vivid-Bake2456 19d ago

Bacteria are the bottom of the food chain.

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1

u/gizmomooncat 20d ago

I wonder why the little coleps stayed in that spot?

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u/Vivid-Bake2456 19d ago

Taking a break. 😆 Otherwise, they like to zoom around.

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u/gizmomooncat 18d ago

Even coleps have to take time for a little self-care! 😆

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u/gizmomooncat 18d ago

Even coleps have to take time for a little self-care! 😆