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Why is this water red?


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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline i2chip - Posted August 4 2016 - 6:15 AM

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I went to go check on my ants this morning and noticed something weird, the water in one of the test tubes had changed colors! The water had changed red/pink! I held it next to a test tube that was just as old (both from mid April)

If anyone knows what this is please let me know. And if it's harmful to the ants inside I'll xfer them asap. The ants inside both tube are S invicta.

IMG_2662_zps4ajvhmpf.jpg

(that byFormica ant liquid feeder in the background though :P)



#2 Offline AntsMAN - Posted August 4 2016 - 7:34 AM

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Pink algae I don't think its harmful, but probably isn't optimal for there development.


Edited by AntsMAN, August 4 2016 - 7:36 AM.

Current queens/colonies

Camponotus novaeboracensis x2

Camponotus pennsylvanicus x2

Camponotus herculeanus x1

Formica sp. x1

Lasius americanus x1  (Lasius alienus)

Lasius neoniger x1

Crematogastor cerasi x1

Myrmica sp. x1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


#3 Offline i2chip - Posted August 4 2016 - 7:35 AM

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Pink algae

Should I change the test tube?
Or is the algae harmless?



#4 Offline AntsMAN - Posted August 4 2016 - 7:41 AM

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I would give them a fresh setup.


Current queens/colonies

Camponotus novaeboracensis x2

Camponotus pennsylvanicus x2

Camponotus herculeanus x1

Formica sp. x1

Lasius americanus x1  (Lasius alienus)

Lasius neoniger x1

Crematogastor cerasi x1

Myrmica sp. x1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


#5 Offline i2chip - Posted August 4 2016 - 8:02 AM

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I would give them a fresh setup.

I'll do that. Thanks!



#6 Offline EstuaryAnts - Posted August 7 2016 - 6:31 PM

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So no idea how that happened???



#7 Offline i2chip - Posted August 8 2016 - 3:45 AM

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So no idea how that happened???

Not really, I had about 40 other Solonopsis invicta colonies and for some weird reason the water in this one changed color.

#8 Offline EstuaryAnts - Posted August 8 2016 - 2:37 PM

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Dang that's kind of weird.



#9 Offline prettycode - Posted August 10 2016 - 7:03 AM

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This happens to some of my test tubes and is dangerous for the ants. I'm specifically speaking to pink/red coloration of cotton and/or water. I would recommend moving them out ASAP. Google "Serratia marcescens". This is likely what the coloration is from--bacteria, not mold (or algae, as suggested). Was clued into this from a Facebook ant group.


Edited by prettycode, August 10 2016 - 7:05 AM.

  • gcsnelling, Subverted and i2chip like this




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