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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.
(that byFormica ant liquid feeder in the background though 
)
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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
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Posted August 4 2016 - 7:35 AM
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Pink algae
Should I change the test tube?
Or is the algae harmless?
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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
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Posted August 4 2016 - 8:02 AM
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I would give them a fresh setup.
I'll do that. Thanks!
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Posted August 7 2016 - 6:31 PM
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So no idea how that happened???
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Posted August 8 2016 - 3:45 AM
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Not really, I had about 40 other Solonopsis invicta colonies and for some weird reason the water in this one changed color.So no idea how that happened???
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Posted August 8 2016 - 2:37 PM
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Dang that's kind of weird.
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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.
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