Tardigrade

Identification

• Measure 200-1,200 µm in length
• Have 8 legs with 4 claws on the end of each leg
• Plump body with a scrunched-up head

Why Do I Have It?

• Indicate a very old sludge age
• Low ammonia levels, and/or low nutrient levels present in system

Treatment

Tardigrades are indicators of old sludge, increasing wasting to reduce sludge age is the preferred treatment. If you are concerned about your plant conditions contact a technical rep for information and recommendations.

Under the Microscope and in Your Plant

Tardigrades indicate an extremely old sludge age, low ammonia levels, and/or low nutrient levels. Tardigrades will not be found in systems experiencing low dissolved oxygen or toxicity. If tardigrades are observed in a system it is an indication that wasting should be increased to lower the sludge age.

Tardigrades, or water bears, are a type of metazoan that can range from 200-1,200 µm in size and can be identified under 100x magnification. Tardigrades have a plump body with a scrunched-up head and eight legs with four claws on each end. These claws are used to rip open their food, such as rotifers, small nematodes, protozoa, and sometimes other tardigrades. Tardigrades also feed on bacteria and fungi.

Interesting Facts

• Tardigrades have been revived after 30.5 years frozen
• They have survived temperatures ranging from -200˚C (-328˚F) to 151˚C (304˚F)
• In 2007 they were sent to space where they were dehydrated and exposed to solar radiation for 10 days